A HEADTEACHER at a secondary school and sixth form in Chard will leave this year, it has been confirmed.
Holyrood Academy head, Mr Dave MacCormick, will leave Holyrood Academy at the end of this academic year to teach at a school overseas.
The departure comes after a 10-year stint - seven as head, which he has "loved" every minute of.
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In a letter to parents and carers, Mr MacCormick said: "The purpose of my letter is to inform you that I will be leaving Holyrood Academy at the end of this academic year.
"I have accepted a new role as Head of Secondary at The British International School in Abu Dhabi, a role I will take up in August 2026.
"The opportunity to lead a successful international school and to travel the world, going on an adventure with my wife and children is very exciting for me.
"I have loved my time at Holyrood and have enjoyed my work here immensely over the past 10 years, and in particular, as Headteacher for the past seven school years.
"The betterment and best interests of the school and the community of Chard has been my focus and the motivation for my work for a significant period of my life and I am so very proud of what the school has become over that time.
"I am especially proud of the incredible things our students have gone on to achieve both during their time with us and following it. It has been an honour and a great privilege to have been the 9th Headteacher of Holyrood and to have held the responsibilities required by the 116 years of history of the school.
"I am humbled by and grateful for the support I have received from the staff, the parents/carers, the wider community and most importantly, the children. The school and the town will always be very special to me."
A replacement headteacher is yet to be announced, with the letter revealing that he will become head of secondary at The British International School in Abu Dhabi, from August 2026.
The head added: "I would like to reassure you that securing a high-quality candidate to be the next Headteacher of Holyrood Academy is an important priority for Blackdown Education Partnership and as such, an advert will be placed shortly and you will be kept updated on the progress towards an appointment.
"Please be assured of my complete commitment to the children, staff and families at Holyrood until my last day at the school.
"We have an enjoyable summer term ahead of us, full of opportunities to continue to make our school as strong as it can possibly be."
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