He told the Daily Post: “I am absolutely delighted to be coming to Kingsmead.

“I am delighted and very privileged to be the new headmaster of what is a much-loved and remarkable school and I am looking forward enormously to the challenge of continuing Kingsmead’s development and encouraging further progress.

“The approach I will be taking at Kingsmead is to promote the understanding that each child is different and unique. Every pupil must be treated as an individual, and their needs must be understood.”

Mr Gibbons, who holds a degree in commerce and a postgraduate qualification in strategic management, completed a teaching course at the University of Southampton.

He started his first teaching job at More House in 2002 and was later appointed head of IT and Business, as well as managing the school’s Gifted and Talented programme.

During his time at the school, he was also promoted to the role of Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

His spare time in Zimbabwe was spent running a Sunday school and playing league squash, and Mr Gibbons said he hoped to pursue his love of sports in Wirral.

He said: “I had this very romantic vision of village cricket, the typically British game, and, so far, the reality has not disappointed!”