A SECONDARY school headteacher has quit shortly after the board of governors was removed and dozens of staff resigned following a damning Ofsted report.

Peter Hoare has cited deteriorating health behind his resignation from Heathfield Community School, where he took the helm in September 2012.

He has written to staff, students, parents and carers to inform them he is leaving next Tuesday (July 26).

Mr Hoare said it was a "very difficult" and "personal decision" to leave, but that it was only right "for me and my family, but also for the school in moving forward into a new and bright future",

He said: "My health has deteriorated recently and (I) am therefore very grateful that our Interim Executive Board and the Local Authority (Somerset County Council) have agreed for me to step away from my role at the end of this summer term. My final working day in the school will be Tuesday 26th July.

"Our Interim Executive Board are working closely with the Local Authority to secure a confident leadership position for September and will be communicating this to you at the earliest possible opportunity."

Mr Hoare added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our stakeholders – parents, students, staff, previous and current Governors for their continued support over the years.

"I wish you all the very best for the future and look forward to continuing to hear about the many fantastic successes of Heathfield’s students."

He praised the "fantastic students and families" who have helped make his time at Heathfield one of the "most rewarding of my career to date" and the "superb leadership team and staff body".

"(They) have made the job, even at its most challenging times, an absolute privilege," said Mr Hoare, a pianist and composer in his spare time.

Mr Hoare was on sick leave for a period with "an ongoing medical issue related to his sight" following the easing of the first lockdown in June 2020.

Ofsted downgraded Heathfield from 'outstanding' to 'requires improvement' following a pre-Christmas inspection.

There was an exodus of teachers and administrative staff, while the chairman of the governors and his deputy were said to have resigned over the unfavourable report.

Somerset County Council then stepped in to remove and replace the remaining governors, sending in an interim executive board of a "very experienced and knowledgeable" team in a bid to turn things around.

READ MORE: Heathfield governors replaced en masse.