School governors will begin their search for a new headteacher after its current one resigned.

Tim Barclay has stepped down as head of Hove Park School after being signed off since November for health reasons.

The school, which has campuses in Hangleton Way and Nevill Road, is now being run by acting headteacher Huxley Knox-Macaulay.

However governors have announced they will begin the process of appointing a new head.

Mike Nicholls, Chair of Governors Hove Park School, said: “We regret that our headteacher Tim Barclay is not able to return to work in the near future as hoped.

“Tim feels that the uncertainty about his return is not in the best interest of the pupils or staff at Hove Park and has therefore decided to resign allowing the school to move on. “He can then concentrate on his health and will return to a new role when he’s fit and ready. We all appreciate that this is a brave decision and typical of the principled person that we know Tim to be.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Huxley Knox-Macaulay is acting head teacher at Hove Park School.

“The local authority will now begin working closely with the governing body to support them in planning the recruitment of a permanent head teacher.”

Mr Barclay was signed off for health reasons during the summer term last year. He had tried to make a partial return in September but in November went back on sick leave.

Mr Knox-Macauley, one of the school’s deputies took over.

Last summer the school dropped into the Government’s National Challenge for struggling schools scheme, when only 26% of pupils got five or more C grades, including English and maths, down from 37% last year.