IPACA has appointed a new principal and chief executive nine months after a shock resignation.

The Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy board of governors recently announced that Joss Hayes has been appointed in the role, which she will take up full time by January 2016.

Meanwhile, she will steer the strategic development of IPACA.

Her appointment comes nine months after the shock resignation of IPACA’s former principal Alison Appleyard, who left the academy last September to embark on the next stage of her career.

Chair of Governors John Tizard said Joss’ energy, experience, philosophy and style are right for IPACA and she was the board’s ‘unanimous choice’.

He added: “Joss is a very experienced school leader who shares the IPACA vision and approach to learning and teaching.

“Governors and other stakeholders were impressed by Joss’s integrity, openness and passion for ensuring the highest standards of education, the social and personal development of young people and the academy being at the heart of the local community.

“She will enable learners and staff, together with parents, to fulfil the ambition for learning on Portland that the local head teachers, governors and parents had when they originally forged the idea of an academy to achieve educational excellence.”

Joss is currently the founding principal of Route 39 Academy in North Devon and has more than 20 years teaching experience.

Prior to her current appointment she was deputy principal of a larger academy – the South Dartmoor Community College.

The IPACA appointment was led by the governors and supported by professional advisors. It included a staff forum, panels of learners and local community and parent representatives.

Joss said: “I’m extremely excited to be joining IPACA at this critical stage of its journey. This will be a time of great change and great opportunity as the academy moves into Maritime House.

“I look forward to meeting learners, staff and parents at the earliest opportunity and working with all members of the academy and Portland communities.

“Together we will make IPACA a truly exceptional place to learn and an academy that makes a positive difference to the lives of the young people of Portland.”

Speaking on behalf of Dorset County Council, the academy’s co-sponsor,  Toni Coombs said the council are ‘delighted that such a strong candidate has been appointed to lead IPACA’. They added: “Joss is clearly committed to doing the very best for the young people of Portland and ensuring that IPACA goes from strength to strength as a key member of the Dorset family of schools.”

The board of governors also noted their appreciation of the work undertaken by joint interim principals, Darren Marklew and Rob Russell - and until his retirement, Stuart McLeod.

Darren and Rob will remain joint interim principals of the academy.