SCHOOL governors have thanked a headteacher for his work after he left due to ill health.

Robert Garrett took over as headteacher at Harwich and Dovercourt High School in 2014 - replacing Nigel Mountford, who also left the school due to ill health.

He moved 140 miles from Leicestershire for the job, saying he was “looking for a new challenge” and vowed to improve the school’s Ofsted rating.

Speaking to the Standard at the time he said he wanted to work on changing the curriculum and expanding vocational courses at the school but wanted to work with pupils, staff and parents on any future plans.

But it was only months before he was back in the headlines.

In January 2015, teachers went on strike after becoming locked in a dispute with their new headteacher.

Teachers were said to be unhappy about a number of changes, including taking greater personal responsibility for their classes’ results and an increase in marking due to pupils taking more mock exams.

Mr Garrett was due to leave the school this summer.

During his time, he successfully improved the school’s Ofsted rating from requires improvement to good in 2016.

But due to ill health he left the school last month.

Kate Finch is now headteacher designate.

In a letter to parents Mr Garrett said: “As you know it has been my intention to leave the school at the end of this academic year.

“Part of my role was to support Mrs Finch in becoming the new headteacher.

“Mrs Finch’s plans for the school are well advanced and she is establishing the teams she needs to bring about further improvements.

“In light of Mrs Finch’s obvious abilities the Trust has kindly agreed to me leaving my position early.”

Chairman of governors, Adrian Leggett, said: “I want to thank Mr Garrett for his contribution to Harwich and Dovercourt High School and wish him well for the future.”