A new free school in Watford set to open next year has appointed a headteacher.

Helen Langeveld will be taking up the post at St John’s Church of England Primary School, in central Watford, in January 2016 - ahead of the school's opening in September 2016.

Mrs Langeveld will spend the first months leading the major project to get the school ready for its first pupils.

This will include developing the school’s policies and curriculum, appointing staff and building networks with parents and the local community in preparation for the school’s opening.

Mrs Langeveld, who is currently a deputy head with acting headteacher experience at a school in Hitchin, has more than 27 years experience in primary education both as a teacher and leader.

Mrs Langeveld said: "I am so excited to have been appointed the headteacher at St John’s Church of England Primary School in Watford.

"To create a brand new school, working in partnership with the Church of St John’s and the local community, is a unique opportunity.

"The children’s well- being and learning will be at the heart of everything that we do.

"We will be building a creative and highly effective team that will strive for excellence and challenge children to achieve their next steps.

"I look forward to sharing the journey that we are embarking on and to welcoming our first intake of reception children in September 2016.”

The new free school is state funded schools but will be independent of local authority control.

St John’s will have the freedom to decide the length of school day and term, its curriculum, teacher pay and how its is budget is spent.

Julie Griffiths, the chair of governors for the school, welcomed their appointment.

She said: "We are delighted to have appointed Mrs Langeveld to be our school’s first headteacher.

"Her vision for our school is inspirational and fully fits with our hopes to create a wonderful church school in Watford for the whole community."

St John’s Church of England Primary School has a limited number of places available for September 2016.

Parents can apply for by completing an application form, available from the website www.stjohnswatford.co.uk or by contacting the school office via admissions@stjohnswatford.co.uk, and returning it directly to the school office.