MILTON Abbey School, near Dorchester, has appointed a new headteacher.

Gareth Doodes will be succeeded as headmaster from January 2014 by Magnus Bashaarat.

Mr Bashaarat was educated at King’s School Canterbury and Edinburgh University, where he read English Literature.

He has worked in various schools, including Sydney Grammar School. He was a housemaster at Eton and is presently deputy head at Stowe.

Theatre, rowing and cricket are all interests and Mr Bashaarat is also a trustee of The Royal and Derngate Theatre.

Chairman of governors James Barnes said: “The process has been incredibly thorough and we are confident that in Magnus Bashaarat we have a leader of quality to take the school forward.”