Terry Boatwright will run both schools when the current head of the Causeway, Alison Dearden, leaves for a new post.

However, both schools will keep their own identities, governors, buildings and uniforms.

Mr Boatwright will be 'executive head', with an office in each building, but each site will have its own separate head of school, with Bishop Bell expected to appoint an existing member of its leadership team. Some senior managers at Bishop Bell will take on work at the Causeway.

The plan was put together after Causeway head Mrs Dearden accepted a new job as principal of an academy in Derbyshire.

East Sussex County Council's director of children's services, Matt Dunkley, said, "Following Mrs Dearden's decision to move to this exciting new post we have an opportunity to look at how we continue improving attainment at Causeway and build on what she has achieved.
"There has been real improvement this year and Mrs Dearden and everyone at the Causeway deserve praise for the improvements that have been made.

"However, we have to look now at how we build on those improvements and make them sustainable for the long term.

"Bishop Bell's headteacher is highly regarded, has significant experience of securing improvement and is well placed to build on the improvement we have seen this year."

Letters have been sent to parents of pupils at both schools to inform them of the change.

GCSE results this year showed 56 per cent of Bishop Bell students achieved five A* to C grades including maths and English.

The Causeway was placed on a hitlist of underperforming schools by the government last year when it fell short of 30 per cent of students reaching this standard, but this year produced 31 per cent of students with five or more top grades including maths and English.

Mr Boatwright said, "I am delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity to build upon the exciting innovations implemented by Mrs Dearden and to take both schools into the future together.

"I believe that this partnership will be good for the two schools, pupils and the community we both serve.

"It is too early to talk about plans for Causeway as, when I take up post, I will work with its staff, pupils and parents to understand strengths and areas for development. There is no intention to 'transplant' elements from either school into the other but rather a determination to ensure that best practice in each informs and enrichs what happens in the other."

As yet, Mr Boatwright's contract, stipulating how long he will remain as executive head and his salary, has not been finalised.

The new arrangements will take effect following Mrs Dearden's departure.