The headteacher of Chester’s King’s School has announced he will be leaving his post in summer 2017.

Chris Ramsey will leave the Wrexham Road school in July next year, after 10 years in the post, to take up a new challenge as head of Whitgift School, the senior member of the Whitgift Foundation of South London independent schools.

A statement from the King’s School said Mr Ramsey had seen the school grow and develop in his ‘ten immensely successful years’, as well as leading it through some ‘tough economic times’.

'New challenge'

The statement went on to say: “But Mr Ramsey feels it is time to take on a new challenge and his appointment to such a significant and prestigious post is a wonderful achievement.

"The staff, pupils and governors wish Mr Ramsey and his family well when they do leave us. In the meantime, the governing body will be initiating the search for his successor during the summer term.”

As well as a number of triumphs, Mr Ramsey has had to cope with his fair share of controversy during his time at The King's School.

This included a 2012 employment tribunal where an ex-colleague claimed unfair dismissal after being sacked for allegedly making a Facebook entry believed to be a jibe at Mr Ramsey.

In the same year, Mr Ramsey suspended five pupils over 'offensive' comic strip style jokes poking fun at senior management that were also posted on social media.

But his time at the Wrexham Road school has also seen the opening of the prestigious Vanbrugh Theatre, a £300,000 upgrade to the sixth form centre and the opening of a £2.9m infant school at the site.