A free school has announced the appointment of its new headteacher.

The Harperbury Free School Trust chose Rachelle Regan as its new founding principal following a two-day selection process last week.

Ms Regan was appointed deputy headteacher last year, but has now been offered the role after former headteacher Martin Blain stepped down in November.

Vice chairman of governors Clive Glover said: “Rachelle Regan’s experience at STAGS, the outstanding local girls’ school and the work she did to help bring the LINKS Academy out of special measures alongside her obvious passion for our vision and ethos make her the perfect candidate to lead Harperbury to be the outstanding school this community deserves.”

Dame Helen Hyde will act as executive head during Harperbury’s pre-opening period and its first term.

Harperbury Free School was due to open last September in the former Harperbury Hospital in Harpers Lane. But schools’ minister Lord Nash announced in February 2013 the Department for Education had failed to secure the site in time, meaning its opening would be delayed for a year.

However, the Education Funding Agency announced last November it had secured the site from the Department of Health on behalf of the Harperbury Free School Trust.

Chairman of governors Sara L’Efquihi added: “We are very much looking forward to being able to emulate Dame Helen’s enviable success in establishing the highest of standards in academic achievement and pastoral care with Ms Regan at the helm and Dame Helen herself on hand to support and guide us.”