Cromer High School headteacher Glyn Hambling is to take over the reins at a larger school at Dereham, it has been annnounced.

Northgate High has been without a permanent headteacher since the departure of Alex Reed, who returned to New Zealand at the end of last year.

Mr Hambling, who has been at Cromer for eight years first as deputy head, and then taking over the headship four years ago, will start work at the school in September.

During his time at the 529-pupil school it has changed its specialist status from languages to sports, and has just put in a bid for academy status.

Mr Hambling, who is married with three children, began his career at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton.

He said he was 'honoured' to be appointed to the headship of the 1190-pupil Dereham school.

'I am very aware of the many areas of success associated with the school and, in partnership with you all, I wish to continue to build on these,' he said. 'I am looking forward to working closely with staff, students, governors, parents and the community.'

Northgate's chairman of governors, Alan Jones, said Mr Hambling had a strong track record of leading school improvement.

'The governors were looking for a headteacher to build on Northgate's many strengths and bring innovative ideas for the future, to be accessible and have a consultative style of leadership and to bring a rigorous approach to school improvement. In Mr Hambling we believe we have found such a headteacher,' he said.

Ofsted inspectors rated Cromer High School as 'good' in May 2010 and highlighted several outstanding areas, including the effectiveness of leadership and management.

Mr Hambling said he had not taken the decision to leave lightly, but having taken the school on 'a journey of significant improvement,' he felt the time was right to move on.

In a letter home to parents, he said: 'The eight and half years that I have been at the school have been some of the happiest in my career to date. I will have very fond memories of the staff who have worked tirelessly to take on new ideas and strive to continue to further improve the quality of provision and learning for the pupils and build what is a vibrant school.

'I shall miss the support of the governors, parents and of course most importantly the children. I would like to thank you for your support, friendship and the trust that you have placed in me whilst I have had the privilege of being your headteacher.'

Governors at the Cromer school will meet tomorrow to begin the process of recruiting a replacement headteacher.

Their chairman David Fincham thanked Mr Hambling for his 'new ideas and enthusiasm' which had advanced the school to its current success.