A leading head teacher has been headhunted to reverse the fortunes of a struggling school.

John Patterson will leave Bingley Grammar after eight years to become principal of a new Academy in Kent which will replace a previously failing school.

Mr Patterson will say goodbye to the Keighley Road school's excellent exam results and outstanding Ofsted reports to oversee the foundation of the new-style Academy in Folkestone.

Mr Patterson, who arrived at Bingley in 1997, said he would be sad to leave at Easter, but felt highly motivated by his new test.

He said: "We are always looking for a new challenge and some of the greatest challenges are the new academies.

"They are an attempt to create excellence in areas where standards have been far from excellent.

"My father was the head teacher of three schools, two of which were secondary moderns, and he believed very strongly in getting the highest standards from people from not the most advantaged backgrounds."

Between Easter and September 2007, 54-year-old Mr Patterson will oversee the £34 million construction and foundation of the academy close to the school it will replace.

"In a way it is a head teacher's dream to be able to direct how a new school is set up," he said.

Mr Patterson said he had enjoyed a proud and happy time at Bingley Grammar.

His leadership of the 16th century-founded school encompassed the acceptance in September 2000 of children from the age of 11 to 18.

This saw the number of pupils increase from 1,150 to 1,750 and led Mr Patterson to call for more Council assistance in creating extra classroom space.

The school's examination results have risen consistently, with A* to C GCSE attainment rising from 56 per cent in 1997 to 74 per cent in 2005. This year three A-level students set a school record by achieving five A grades.

"At this moment the school has very good standards and results are at the highest level ever," said Mr Patterson.

He said one of his biggest achievements had been the introduction of two tutors to each tutorial group to make sure pupils were able to speak individually to staff about their accomplishments and problems.

He said: "I feel very at home here.

"I have a wonderful, intelligent governing body, highly supportive parents and a remarkable teaching staff.

"I can assure everyone I would not be leaving if I was not really excited by the challenge ahead."

Chairman of governors Dr Jean Holgate said they congratulated Mr Patterson and wished him, his wife and two children well.

"Bingley Grammar has benefited greatly from the leadership of Mr Patterson over the last seven years, and he takes a rightful place in the line of distinguished head teachers of the school," she said.

"The governors must now turn their attention to the appointment of a new head teacher, and expect the post to generate a good deal of interest."

l As reported in later editions of yesterday's Telegraph & Argus, Keighley College principal David Gates is leaving to take up a new post running Doncaster College.

Deputy principal Chris Moore will take over temporarily at the college when Mr Gates departs in January.