The new headteacher of Langdon Park School is welcoming prospective students through the gates for a look around this week as he pledges to ensure children are “happy, safe and successful”.

Richard Fitzgerald took over from retired Chris Dunne at the school this September, having left his previous post as deputy head of Dagenham’s All Saints.

He is now anxious to give people an insight into the changes being made at the school in Poplar.

“My previous roles were all focused on raising achievement and maintaining achievement and I have many years of successful experience doing that,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“That’s why I know that with the excellent teachers here and the changes we’re putting in place now, next year’s results are going to be the best ever and will continue to rise in future years.”

The summer months for many at Langdon Park were over-shadowed by the tragic death of star pupil Ajmol Alom, who was stabbed in nearby Spey Street.

And Mr Fitzgerald said: “I’ve been very impressed by the dignity and compassion with which our students have responded to this tragedy. The qualities these young people have displayed give me great hope for the future.

“I’m a parent myself and I think all parents want much the same things from a school.”

“We want our children to be happy, safe and successful. I want that for the children at Langdon Park as much as I do for my own children.”

Mr Fitzgerald is one of three new heads taking over at schools in Tower Hamlets this summer. Bethnal Green’s Morpeth has a new headteacher at the helm, as does George Green’s on the Isle of Dogs.

The Langdon Park open days are running until Friday (September 20), with tours starting at 9.30am.