THE acting headteacher of Knox Academy has said it is “a privilege” to have taken over the reins.

Lauren Rodger was seconded from her role as headteacher at North Berwick High School to “lead and manage” the Haddington school after its previous headteacher Sarah Ingham took a “period of leave” at the end of last month.

Mrs Rodger, along with business teacher Robert Flood and senior pupils Cara Morrison and Fergus Dickson, attended a meeting of Haddington Community Council last Tuesday.

At the meeting, Mrs Rodger said she was delighted to have taken over.

She said: “I started two weeks ago and so far it has been a pleasure. The pupils have been brilliant.”

Mrs Rodger also told the meeting how, as a former North Berwick High School pupil, she was keenly aware of the rivalry between the two county schools.

Ward councillor John McMillan said that Knox Academy was an “intrinsic part of the community” and its pupils “reflected well” on the town.

The school has made headlines in recent times including an alleged assault there on the day Ms Ingham was placed on leave last month – just a week into the new term.

And that came after Emily Bowen, 18 – who was responsible for fellow pupil Molly Young suffering burns at the school last September after pouring drain cleaner into her viola case – was jailed last month for 21 months for the assault.

Earlier this year, a report by education inspectors said the school needed to “revisit its vision and values”.