A SECONDARY school has announced its headteacher has left with 'immediate effect'. 

Queen Elizabeth's School, in Blandford Road, Wimborne, said its headteacher, Simon Firth, had left the state secondary school to 'pursue other opportunities in the education sector'. 

He is replaced by the school's director of secondary education, Brian Boyes, who becomes interim headteacher. 

The news comes after the school received a downgraded rating from Ofsted when it was rated 'requires improvement' in October 2023. 

As reported, the school complained to Ofsted about the rating due to being deemed 'good' in three out of five areas with the grading being branded 'unquestionably disappointing'.

Ofsted has closed the complaint.

A spokesperson for Initio Learning Trust said: "We have written to families to confirm that Simon Firth is leaving Queen Elizabeth’s School and that Brian Boyes, our director of secondary education will be interim headteacher with immediate effect. 

"Brian is an extremely experienced school leader with a track record in school improvement.

“He will be driving forward our programme of school improvement whilst we launch a recruitment campaign to find our next leader.”

In the trust's newsletter, the school thanked Mr Firth for his 'work and commitment' since September. 

The trust has continued to express its faith in his replacement but will begin a recruitment campaign to find a new headteacher in the meantime.

In the newsletter, the school said: "Mr Boyes met a number of you earlier this month at the parents information evening and I know he is looking forward to working in partnership with you as we build further on the strengths of the school, whilst also addressing important areas for improvement.

"I know that Mr Boyes will be looking to increase the number of opportunities for parents and carers to engage with the school so that we build stronger relationships. He will be in touch with more detail on this."

The academy teaches around 1,500 students aged 13 to 18 and was rated 'good' for 15 years. 

The trust asked parents to inform their children of the change which came on the last day of the school's term on March 27, 2024.