The head teacher of one of the biggest schools in Brighton and Hove is to leave his job tomorrow (Friday 13 November).
Haydn Stride has stepped down as head of Longhill High School, in Rottingdean.
The secondary school was graded as “requires improvement” by Ofsted – only one step above the worst rating of “inadequate” – in November 2013.
Mr Stride criticised the report and appealed against the official watchdog’s verdict but without success.
After a follow-up visit by inspectors, Ofsted was more upbeat while saying there was still much to be done to improve the school.
But in the summer the GCSE results dipped, with 48 per cent of pupils achieving the benchmark five A* to C grades, including maths and English. Last year the figure was 50 per cent.
Using the same benchmark, the “pupil premium gap” also deteriorated from 39 per cent to 41 per cent – the worst attainment gap in Brighton and Hove.
The measure is intended to show the gap in performance between poorer pupils – those in receipt of free school meals or eligible for the pupil premium – compared with their better off peers.
Martin Andrews, the chairman of governors, has written to parents, carers and students about Mr Stride’s departure.
He said: “Haydn Stride has taken the decision, for personal reasons, to retire from his position as head teacher of Longhill High School.
“Haydn has led the school with great passion and determination for more than eight years and the governors would like to thank Haydn for his commitment, hard work and leadership of the school over that time.
“Staff and students will miss Haydn and we wish him well for the future. Haydn’s last day in school is Friday 13 November.
“From Monday 16 November, Ms Jo Cassidy will be acting head of school, pending the appointment of an interim head teacher.
“The appointment process is well advanced and an announcement will be made by the end of next week.”
Mr Stride was appointed in April 2007 two months after Geoff Ellis left because of ill health. Mr Ellis had been head for nine years and Peter Lonsdale served as interim head, retiring later in the same school year.
Jo Cassidy has been deputy head since 2007, having previously served as the acting deputy.
Mr strides policy on school is shocking. He also doesn’t believe there’s bulling in his school.
Let’s hope someone good takes over and gets the ofsted levels back up b