Headteacher quits after 16 years in charge

Colin Taylor will step down at the end of this term after 16 years in charge.

A spokesman for Oakmeeds said Mr Taylor announced his decision following a meeting on March 1 which confirmed Oakmeeds was on track to become an academy.

Oakmeeds, in Burgess Hill, was placed in special measures in January 2014 and remained so until November, when inspectors cited Mr Taylor’s “forthright” leadership as the catalyst for improvement.

David Fry, chairman of governors, said: “Mr Taylor has had a long and distinguished career in education in West Sussex.

“He has been at Oakmeeds for 16 years and I have had the privilege of working with him as chair of governors during the last seven.

“Colin has always respected and valued the interaction with the governors and I re-iterate the comments of [Ofsted] concerning the dedication and effort which Colin has put in during the last two difficult years.

“On behalf of all the governors I wish him every success as he ventures into pastures new.”

Oakmeeds hopes to become part of The University of Brighton Academies Trust.

Mr Fry said further announcements would be made in the next few weeks.

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