A Welwyn school which has endured “inclement financial times” has promised parents brighter times ahead after a new chief was appointed.

It has been announced that Ali Khan, currently head of an Oxfordshire prep school and owner of five more, was appointed chairman of the Sherrardswood governors earlier this month.

Three other heads, former heads or deputy heads, have joined the board, replacing parent governors who stepped down voluntarily.

Memos seen by the Welwyn Hatfield Times reveal that teachers at Sherrardswood School were paid a day late last month – but school bosses say this was due to a pay day being changed.

The memo apologised to staff for any “stress and anxiety” caused.

Headteacher Lynda Corry told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “We are delighted to welcome an astonishingly successful educationalist to lead our board of governors.

“As a headmaster whose schools consistently top local league tables and deliver some of the best academic results in the country, we feel he is exactly the right person to support Sherrardswood towards a brilliant future.”

Mr Khan, headteacher of Crown House Preparatory School near Stokenchurch and founder director of Alpha Schools Ltd, said: “I am genuinely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Mrs Corry and her team within an already vibrant school which buzzes with opportunity and potential.”

In a letter to parents, Mrs Corry acknowledged the school had endured “inclement financial times”, but promised the new arrangement would bring stability.

Although Mr Khan’s company runs several schools commercially, Sherrardswood will be independent of it, and continue to be responsible to a charitable trust.

New governor Robin Stattersfield, former headteacher of Benedict House Preparatory School in Kent, said: “In the world of education, Mr Khan is a celebrity.”

Sherrardswood School, which currently teaches 277 pupils aged from two to 18 at its base in the Lockleys estate off the B1000, charges between £3,000 and £4,970 a term.