AN all-girls school has broken with 100 years of tradition by appointing a man as headteacher.

Paul Reynolds, 53, is the new head of Wilmslow Preparatory School for Girls in Cheshire.

An all-female school is new territory for Mr Reynolds who has left the co-educational Sedbergh School, in Cumbria, after seven years as head of juniors.

Mr Reynolds said: "I don't think it will be a problem having a male headteacher.

"The governors appointed the best person for the job and it just so happened that it was a man.

"My daughter was at an all girls school in Cumbria and they had a male head and that seemed to work quite well.

"Girls need male role models as well as female and it can, and I am sure will, work very well. We already have a lot of good female staff here, and it is sometimes good to have a change.

"It shows a great vote of confidence that the school has chosen a male."

Mr Reynolds, who studied English and French at university, has worked in education for 28 years.

He paid tribute to his predecessor, adding: "The school had a new sports hall last year and recently got a very good Ofsted report. I want to build on what is clearly an excellent school.

"It's a super challenge to take on as we move into the next centenary."

Mr Reynolds is a keen sportsman and his hobbies include skiing, cricket, walking, singing, yoga and the theatre.

He lives in Macclesfield with his wife Adele, a nurse, son Tom, 23, and daughter Kayleigh, 21.