The head of St John’s School, Marlborough, Dr Patrick Hazlewood, announced today that he will be retiring from the post in April next year.

Staff were informed of Dr Hazlewood’s retirement this morning and an email has been sent out to parents.

He will remain in his post of chief executive of Excalibur Academies Trust, which includes St John's.

Jane Butler, chairman of governors at the school, said: “Dr Hazlewood will have led St John's for almost 19 years and I'm sure that you will, like the governors and many previous parents and students, recognise his enormous contribution.

“St John's governors look forward to continuing to work with Dr Hazlewood in his role of chief executive of Excalibur and to working with a new principal to continue the success of St John's.”

Governors plan to advertise for Dr Hazlewood’s replacement from September, with the intention of a new principal being in post at the start of the summer term 2015.