WITH a staff of 85 and close to a thousand students, the task of a new headteacher at Abbeyfield School in Chippenham is a major one.

Which is one reason why the school has opted to appoint two heads instead one in an unusual move following the departure of the former head Ian Tucker to St John's in Marlborough at Christmas.

Chair of the Governors Trish Chilton said: "The Governing Body is delighted to announce, after a thorough process and a unanimous decision, that Mr Nick Norgrove and Mr Ralph Plummer have been appointed as Co-Headteachers of Abbeyfield School, effective immediately."

The duo researched the idea of co-heads with help from their teaching trade union and by looking at the small number of schools that had adopted the idea.

Mr Plummer, 41, said: "Although this is a fairly unique approach to leading schools, there are examples of very effective and outstanding schools benefitting from this model.

"Together we have a combined experience of 18 years working at Abbeyfield School, we believe passionately in the school's ethos and vision and with our hardworking staff we are very excited about the future of the school."

Both teachers are married with families and live locally and are now in charge of the local educationally controlled school built in 2001 and expanded in 2006 as student numbers increased.

"The students are the school's biggest asset," said Mr Norgrove, "the trend is to be full in Y7 as the town develops."

The duo said the school had plenty of room to expand since it had space on the large campus. Clearly both teachers are excited and proud to have taken up the reins of the school considered excellent by Ofsed.

"This is undoubtedly an exciting time for Abbeyfield School," he said, "as it is continuing to grow in numbers and our students are achieving consistently strong outcomes.

"We are particularly proud of our sixth form which is performing in the top 15 per cent of sixth forms nationally."

The joint head teachers have split the roles of a traditional school head between them. Mr Norgrove has a background as a physical educational teacher while his partner specialised teaching A-level economics.

They don't finish each other's sentences and don't come across a traditional comedic double act with a straight man and a whacky one, but instead as two senior teachers as equals.

"We are a comprehensive school, "said Mr Norgrove, "so we have students of all abilities. The main aim is to push the aspirations of everyone so they can be the best they can be."

As for issues they cited the continued problem of funding and managing budgets as the school is a major employer and spends hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

There is an open morning for Year 5 pupils and parents on Wednesday, June 12.