AN INNOVATIVE headteacher will stand down from his post and has labelled his school community “the best in the land”.

Derek Trimmer is to leave Hove Park School at the end of the term having been at the Nevill Road site since April 2011.

He will be stepping into the role of executive headteacher for secondary provision at Swale Academies Trust, and will therefore also be stepping down as executive headteacher of West Blatchington Primary School.

The trust currently consists of four secondary and four primary academies in Kent.

Senior deputy headteacher Austen Hindman will move up to acting headteacher at Hove Park from the beginning of the summer term.

Mr Trimmer said: “As part of this journey, I have been privileged to help shape and lead the finest leadership team in education that will take the school to outstanding and beyond. “Team HP is unique in that the core values of ambition and drive permeate every part of the school, there is no one person that is responsible for our success, it is shared by all.”

Mr Trimmer compared the teachers at Hove Park to Manchester United manager Matt Busby’s successful 1950s team.

He said: “This is Matt Busby’s special 11 and we are set to continue our progress this year and beyond. I would like to pay special tribute to the staff, governors, parents and the students of the school who are the finest in the land.”

Mr Trimmer introduced the use of iPads in 2013, which has revolutionised the classroom, but came under fire last year when he pushed for the school to be converted into an academy.

After a turbulent few months, he completed a dramatic U-turn and advised governors to vote against the plans he had proposed. Chairman of governors Mike Nicholls acknowledged the strength of Mr Trimmer’s leadership, which has seen the school rise from one of the lowest performing in the city to one of the most improved in the country under his headship.

Mr Nicholls said: “One part of Derek’s legacy at Hove Park is distributed leadership. The school has excellent staff and a common purpose, which is to raise attainment for all pupils, regardless of background.”

Austen Hindman was praised in the 2013 Ofsted report for his leadership of Teaching and Learning within the school, and is said to be thrilled to be taking the hot seat.