AFTER than 15 years working in Chard, the headteacher of Holyrood Academy left the school abruptly at the end of term, it has been announced.

Parents of Holyrood Academy pupils received a letter on the last day of term to confirm Matthew Collins’ sudden exit from the role.

Mr Collins has been a member of staff at Holyrood for 15 years as a maths teacher, senior leader, and as headteacher for the last three years.

In the letter home, Ann Adams, chairman of the Vector Learning Trust, said: “In that time he has positively impacted the life chances of very many young people.

“I am sure you will join me in both thanking him for his service to the school and the community of Chard and in wishing him every success in his new endeavours.

“We will be advertising for a new headteacher for Holyrood as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, the senior leadership team will be doing everything required to ensure the school continues to run smoothly and effectively.”

Mr Collins exit coincides with Holyrood Academy joining Uffculme Academy Trust.

The trust’s chief executive Lorraine Heath will be acting headteacher until a permanent replacement is found.

Mrs Adams added: “I have every confidence that, in this period of transition, the school will be in safe hands.

“Mrs Heath is an experienced headteacher having led Uffculme School in Devon for 11 years.

“She has been working with us at Holyrood over the last year and is therefore familiar with the school community.”

The school is already advertising for a new head, with a required start date of January or April 2020.

The job advert said: “The Directors of Uffculme Academy Trust are seeking to appoint an experienced, dynamic and inspirational headteacher to lead Holyrood Academy.

“This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who embodies our key values of equality, ambition and excellence.

“We are seeking an individual who inspires confidence and trust, who builds exceptional relationships with staff, students and families and who wants to lead a school which is both high performing and inclusive.”

Holyrood was last inspected in 2013 when it achieved an Outstanding rating.

The school’s website has already been updated with a comment from Mrs Heath as the acting headteacher.

She said: “As an Academy we only have one aim and it is very straightforward.

“Quite simply we are here to ensure that all students achieve their maximum potential.

“If we feel that a new initiative will have little impact on student achievement then we won’t do it.

“All our energies therefore go into the bits that matter, which are providing ‘outstanding’ lessons on a daily basis allowing teachers to teach to the best of their ability and the students to learn to the best of theirs.”

Uffculme Academy Trust is a multi academy trust (MAT) working across Devon and Somerset.

It was born of the partnership between Uffculme Secondary School and Uffculme Primary School.

In September 2019 Holyrood Academy and Axe Valley Academy join the trust.