THE executive headteacher of Skipton Girls' High School is to leave to take up a position with the Department for THE executive headteacher of Skipton Girls' High School is to leave to take up a position with the Department for Education.

Jan Renou, who has maintained the school's very high standards, will leave after the summer term to become regional schools commissioner for the North.

In a letter to parents, John Goodfellow, chairman of governors, said he was "sad but proud" to announce Mrs Renou's departure and added his fellow governors would strive for the continued success of the school, which is now an academy.

"Jan took up post in 2002 and has led the school successfully over 12 years. Taking the school to outstanding in 2008, she has sustained this Ofsted judgement for the last six years," he said.

Mr Goodfellow's letter continued: "As a national leader of education, she has developed with staff, a school profile for excellence in state education across the country especially in challenging gender stereotypes and promoting girls into engineering.

"This new appointment, though a well-deserved accolade for our executive headteacher, also reflects the success and recognition of our school. We will be sorry to lose her but wish her every success in her new role which is due to commence during the autumn term."

Mr Goodfellow said he was contacting parents ahead of an official announcement by the DfE.

"It was important that I contact you beforehand personally and reassure you that governors and I will be working with the school over the coming months to secure a new appointment and, with it, the continuing long term success of Skipton Girls' High School."

Schools Commissioner for the DfE Frank Green said he was delighted with the appointment.

"We have been able to appoint outstanding people to these positions, all of whom have experience as regional or national leaders of education," he said.

“Janet is an excellent leader who has had two outstanding Ofsted reports at Skipton Girls' High School during 12 years as headteacher. She is a fantastic choice as regional commissioner.

“There are now over 4,000 academies, making up more than 60 per cent of all secondary schools - and we now have higher numbers of primary than secondary schools as academies for the first time.

“As a regional commissioner in the north, Janet will monitor academy performance, take decisions on new academies and intervene where academies are struggling. Our new system takes power away from remote bureaucracies puts outstanding heads like Janet in the driving seat.”

In addition to Mrs Renou, the school has a head of academy, Jenn Plews.