Phil Stack,who replaces Gill Smith, said he wanted to make the school the 'number one choice for parents and students'.

It will also be first year the school has had an upper sixth form and students studying at A-levels.

Mr Stack said: "I'm very excited and pleased to be here, I think it has the potential to be a truly outstanding school and it's clear that the staff and the students are committed to making it so. I feel honoured and fortunate to be the new head teacher.

"I think it's an exciting time for the school because it's now full.

"For the first time we have students in years seven to 13 and I'm looking forward to our first set of A2 results next summer, which I'm sure will reflect the hard work of the students and staff."

Mr Stack taught in schools across south and west London before taking on his new position at the performing, visual and media arts specialist school.

He said his priorities would be building on what the school had already achieved and added: "I'll be focusing on building on the school's success in terms of increasing and continuing to raise the standards of teaching and learning and the relationship between the school and the community.

"And to further the school's contribution to vision and performing arts in the area – I know there's already been a great deal of work done with primary schools."

He added: "The challenge that I'm going to take on is to make this school the number one choice for parents and students in the local community.

"I want to focus on working together to achieve what I believe is a very high potential for this school."