THE headmaster of troubled Addington High School, Tim Davies, has resigned and will leave at the end of next week.
The news, announced by the school's governors on Wednesday, came a day after their chair, Jo Tanner, received confirmation from the Department for Education that the school will become an academy under the auspices of Ravens Wood School, in Bromley, on April 1.
Mr Davies departs in the wake of a series of a series of controversies that have blighted the school over the past 12 months.
Ofsted inspectors put Addington High into special measures in October, citing poor exam results and attendance levels.
The Advertiser has also previously reported how a sex scandal led to the sacking of deputy head Tim Edwards, while a teacher was sent home for allegedly being drunk in charge of a lesson.
Since the Oftsed report, senior staff from Ravens Wood have been working with Addington High on improving standards in the run-up to the academy move.
It is not unusual for newly established academies to appoint new head teachers, but Ms Tanner told the Advertiser on Wednesday that there had been no pressure on Mr Davies to go.
She said: "Tim has been with us for 12 years and with the changes that are coming to the school he felt it was the right time to move on and let Addington High carry on with its forward trajectory."
She said there had been no loss of confidence in Mr Davies on the part of the governors, adding: "Tim is a dynamic, committed and inspiring leader who has brought his passion to Addington High School. He has been an exceptional advocate for the school and its pupils and we wish him well with future endeavours."
Mr Davies would not answer any questions but released a statement saying: "I am very proud to have helped so many young people develop during their time at the school and to see them leave us ready for the next stage in their personal and educational journeys.
"I've helped to set up the academy and this new chapter for secondary education in New Addington is the right time for me to move on.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents for their support. I have regarded being head teacher at Addington High School as a privilege and a pleasure."
Paul Greenhalgh, Croydon Council's executive director of children, families and learners, said: "Tim Davies has been very committed to the young people at the school during his time as head teacher and I wish him well.
"With its expected conversion to academy status the school has a significant opportunity to build on strengths and provide the very best for its future."
Following Mr Davies' decision, the school's governors have appointed deputy head James Malley as acting head teacher and John Hernandez - currently at Norlington Boys' School in Waltham Forest - as executive head.
Ms Tanner said: "Since Mr Hernandez became head at Norlington he has turned it into London's most improved school. That is what we want for Addington High."
