The headteacher of a city primary that is in line to become an academy has quit.

Daniel Weiner has announced he is leaving Whitehawk Primary School, which was put in special measures last year.

The school, in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, has been under pressure to improve and now looks set to become the city’s first primary academy school.

Mr Weiner will start a new role in September as a consultant headteacher for Brighton and Hove City Council.

He said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Whitehawk and would like to thank everyone connected with the school for the tremendous support they've given me. However, I’m excited at the prospect of making a positive difference city-wide on a number of key education issues, and am looking forward to the challenge."

An unnamed headteacher at another local primary school will be drafted in to act as an executive headteacher at Whitehawk from September.

The council said it expects to confirm the appointment next week.

A local authority spokesman said the system is relatively new to Brighton and Hove and will allow the headteacher’s “excellent track record in school improvement”.

The current assistant headteacher Jonathan Whitfield and Annie Noble will run the school on a day to day basis.

Parents have been notified about the move and will have a meeting after the half term holidays to meet the new executive head.

Councillor Sue Shanks, the chair of the council’s children and young people committee, said: “I would like to thank Daniel for his commitment and dedication to the young people and families of Whitehawk. He has worked tirelessly at the school, and can take a lot of credit for a recent survey in which 99 percent of parents expressed a positive view of the school.

“The expertise he will bring to his new role at the council will be a great asset for our schools team.”