BRIMSHAM Green Secondary School headteacher Richard Warrillow is leaving after steering the school through a sustained era of growth and progression.

Mr Warrillow will be saying goodbye to the Yate school in April and has spoken to the Gazette about his 17 years in the post.

He was appointed headteacher in 1991 and has seen the school grow from 800 pupils to almost 1,200.

Looking back over his time at the school, Mr Warrillow said: "I have had the privilege of leading this school for a long time and overseeing its many highs.

"This is a fantastic school which has grown massively in the time I have been here.

"We have seen some major developments in the school ranging from the opening of science laboratories when I arrived to the completion of our sports hall and study centre.

"And results success has steadily increased too. This is a well established school with a lot to show for it, I will be sad to leave."

Mr Warrillow pointed to the school's success as a humanities college.

He said since the school had taken on the status in 2004 pupils had improved their English which, he said, was important for later life.

Mr Warrillow said he was planning to take a short career break before investigating other opportunities.

He said: "I aim to work hard over the next few months to ensure that all arrangements are in place for a smooth transition to the new leadership of the school.

"Applications for places in the school for next year in both Year 7 and the sixth form are strong and I am very confident that the school will go from strength to strength.

"I would wish all current and past pupils every success in their future lives and hope they will always look back on the school with fond memories."

Governors have appointed the school's deputy headteacher Richard Clammer as acting head for the summer term until a permanent headteacher is appointed.