THE firm Christian who first envisaged Becket Keys faith school less than 12 months ago has been appointed as its first head teacher.

Andy Scott-Evans, the head teacher of St Thomas Junior School, set out his vision for the creation of the first Christian secondary school in Essex only in March last year.

Becket Keys free school, among the tranche of centrally-funded schools that were given the go-head last year, will open at the site of Sawyers Hall College, in September.

Mr Scott-Evans will initially be responsible for setting up the school, which will grow by 150 students year on year.

That will continue until the school fills to a maximum of 1,050 students seven years later.

The surprise appointment follows the failure of six shortlisted candidates to make the grade when they were interviewed for the post of head teacher last month.

Mr Scott-Evans who has been at the helm of St Thomas Junior School since 2008 was handed the job after subsequently passing the selection process organised by the school's sponsor, the Russell Education Trust, and the Diocese of Chelmsford.

Mr Scott-Evans who has no previous experience of secondary education, said: "I am relishing the opportunity to lead Becket Keys and to bring the community's hopes and dreams to fruition."

Eyes will also turn to who could fill the vacancy at St Thomas Junior School created by Mr Scott-Evans' departure.

He added: "I will be sorry to leave St Thomas' in the summer – I've enjoyed every minute of my time there and have so much to thank my governors, staff, parents and children for.

"I believe that by moving on to Becket Keys I am continuing to serve those families – and many more – by ensuring that there is an outstanding Anglican secondary school for Brentwood in the years ahead.

"I feel uniquely blessed to be working not only with Iain Gunn, the Diocese and local parents, but also with the exceptional secondary expertise of the Russell Education Trust. With this combination, I believe that we can make a great contribution to the family of schools in Brentwood."

Richard Elms, a spokesman for the Russell Education Trust, a body that will run the school, said Mr Scott-Evans and Mr Gunn, the head teacher of St Peter's, South Weald, who has worked on the project with Mr Scott-Evans from the beginning, had impressed in the way they handled the bid.

He said: "RET have been working very closely with Andy and the other Becket Keys proposer, Iain Gunn, for the past 18 months to plan every detail of the school and its curriculum.

"We have been hugely impressed by the way Andy and Iain brought their understanding of two outstanding primary schools to bear on the planning of a new secondary school.

"When Iain and an RET director suggested that Andy be approached to consider the post of founding head teacher himself, we were delighted.

"Last week RET, the Diocese and Department for Education conducted an intensive assessment and interview process.

"Andy came through with flying colours, impressing us with his vision and his determination to build an outstanding secondary school from Year 7 upwards.

"We have no doubt that he will lead Becket Keys brilliantly."

The appointment has been blessed by the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford, who has welcomed the creation of the first Christian secondary school in Essex.

The head teacher post was initially advertised at a salary of between £36,000 and £88,000.

He said: "Andy has made a huge contribution to education in Brentwood by running an outstanding C of E primary school.

"He is one of the driving forces behind the new Becket Keys C of E Free School.

"He is a person of faith and vision and his appointment as founding head teacher will be good for everyone in Brentwood as this new school works alongside others to serve the needs of the wider community."

There will be a meeting for children and parents to meet Mr Scott-Evans, and be given an update on the school on February 13.