DEVIZES School deputy head Sue Marshall will be acting headteacher from September until next Easter while governors look for a replacement for Malcolm Irons.

Mr Irons, 59, announced in March he would be retiring this July and it had been hoped a replacement would be found for the start of the 2015 academic year.

But the governors announced to parents today that PE teacher Miss Marshall, who has been at the school for 15 years, has been given the temporary position.

Chairman of governors David Bousfield said: "We have taken the advice of our educational consultant that we should advertise the permanent position of headteacher this autumn, in order to attract as strong a field of candidates as possible.

"The governors are confident that Miss Marshall will prove an able leader with the continuing full support of the Senior Leadership Team and all the staff of the school during this interim period."

In a letter to parents the governors said that Miss Marshall, who is one of four deputy heads, would take up her new duties in September and remain in the role until Easter.

She joined the school as a PE teacher and went on to become director of physical education at the sports college. She is now in charge of curriculum.

Mr Irons revealed in March that he had spent the half term holiday deciding if he should retire this year or wait until his 60th birthday next year.

He said: ""It was difficult and I felt quite emotional about it when I told people last week but I think it is the right decision.

"I am confident I am leaving the school in a good place. I want to retire when I am still young and fit enough to do other things. I want to be an explorer. Not going to far off places but just exploring different things in life."

His announcement followed a decision by other long serving heads in the area to retire. Patrick Hazlewood has left St John's, Marlborough after 19 years and Martin Watson left Lavington at Christmas after 20 years.

Mr Irons, who has been in charge at Devizes for 13 years, said when he announced his retirement: "I am quite proud of what I have achieved but I couldn't have done it without the backing of a wonderful team and support of parents and students."