A popular Carlisle headteacher will be starting his move to a larger school in west Cumbria after Christmas.

Des Bird will take over as headteacher of Workington Academy full time after Easter.

He is currently in charge of Richard Rose Morton Academy, one of two schools in Carlisle run by United Learning.

With the backing of his United Learning bosses, Mr Bird will start working a day a week at Workington in the new year.

Parents of Workington Academy have been notified of the leadership changes at the school.

Cumbria Education Trust, which runs Workington Academy, sent a letter to parents

Chief executive Lorrayne Hughes and Tracy Stainton, who chairs Workington Academy's local advisory board, said: "In October we announced that Mr Des Bird had been appointed as Headteacher for Workington Academy. We were delighted to secure his services and we are confident that he will take Workington Academy forward to create an outstanding school.

"With the support of United Learning, in the run up to Mr Bird joining the academy full time after Easter, he will be working with the school one day a week from January."

Current interim headteacher Collette Macklin leaves Workington Academy when the autumn term ends next week.

The school's deputy heads - Rose O'Hagan and Mark Bedford - will jointly take on the position of head of school until Easter.

The pair will be supported by Cumbria Education Trust's senior leaders.

Mrs Hughes and Mrs Stainton added: "We would like to thank Mrs Macklin for the positive contribution she has made to Workington Academy and wish her the very best in the future.

"Cumbria Education Trust remain committed and passionate about creating a ‘great’ school for the community of Workington; substantial progress has already been made and we look forward to working with you to continue that journey."

When news of his appointment was released, Mr Bird said he was "looking forward to the fresh challenge" at a new, larger school.

He also speaks with pride about the Wigton Road school in Carlisle and says it is well placed to move forward and develop further following its transformation under his leadership.

Mr Bird had previously trained at its predecessor, Morton School.

Before joining the Carlisle academy in February 2014, Mr Bird was deputy head at West Lakes Academy, Egremont.