A headteacher has been appointed to lead a new primary which will incorporate a first school parents fought to save.

Pippa Bird has been named head designate for the amalgamated school which will replace Fishersgate Community First, Manor Hall First and Manor Hall Middle, in Portslade and Southwick, in September 2008.

Mrs Bird is currently head of Manor Hall First, in Manor Hall Road, Southwick.

The Rev Julian Albrow, chairman of the temporary governing body which made the appointment, said: "Mrs Bird was an outstanding candidate.

Her abilities as a headteacher were praised in her school's most recent Ofsted report.

"She has in-depth knowledge of the local area and is fully aware of the recent history of all three schools - including Fishersgate's major victory in allowing pupils to continue attending school at the Gardner Road site."

Under the rules of the merger between the three schools, the position was offered to the existing heads before any move to advertise it nationally.

Andrew Morris, head at Fishersgate, chose not to apply as he plans to retire this summer. Julie Scott acting head at Manor Hall Middle school was ineligible as her current role is not permanent.

The new school will initially be spread across the three existing sites. The current Manor Hall Middle and First school buildings are expected to be redeveloped by 2010-11.

West Sussex County Council had originally proposed to permanently close Fishersgate First, in Gardner Road, Portslade, but was forced to change its plans after a successful challenge by parents.

Elaine Ross, the mother who led the campaign, has been elected vice-chair of the governing body for the new school.