HEADMASTER Chris Jeffery is to leave The Grange School next summer to become the headmaster of Bootham School in York.

The move has been announced by The Grange School’s board of governors, and will see Chris take up his new position in September 2016.

The board of governors said it was sad to see Mr Jeffery leave, and acknowledged his significant commitment and contribution to the development of The Grange since his appointment in 2005.

Chris Stubbs, chairman of governors, said: “We fully understand and support Chris’ decision to take on a new challenge at another outstanding, but very different, school at this stage in his career.

“I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have been chairman during his time as headmaster, and when the time comes we will thank him appropriately for his outstanding service to the school and wish him every success in his new venture.

“Without being remotely complacent, The Grange is in a strong position, with its clear educational mission, dedicated and talented staff, clear values, ambitious future plans and healthy finances.”

Mr Jeffery said: “It has been the greatest joy of my career to have led such a remarkable and wonderful school over the past 10 years, and leaving such a warm, supportive community will be very hard.

“I am very excited about the move to Bootham School, which shares all the most important values of The Grange, and will provide new challenges for the next phase of my career.”

The board of governors will now begin the process of identifying the right person to succeed Mr Jeffery.

The governing body said that during Mr Jeffery’s time at the school, and especially through the commitment and hard work of his staff, The Grange had flourished in many ways, including growth in numbers and demand at all levels at the Senior School, helping the school to successfully navigate the recent recession, and sustained excellence in public exams.

He had also significantly raised the school’s profile in independent education, it added, and had overseen the expansion of the school’s enrichment programme and the development of The Grange Award.