AN interim principal has been appointed to lead Callington Community College for the next academic year while a full time replacement is sought.

Last month principal Sean Morris, who joined the school as principal in 2014, gave notice of his intention to retire at the end of the summer term.

Feeling that there wasn’t sufficient time to appoint someone to the role before September, the governing board decided to appoint an interim head for the next year so a suitable replacement could be found.

Kathy Hocking, who works as part of the leadership team at the college, was appointed interim principal and has adopted the role of acting head while Mr Morris is off on sick leave.

In a letter to parents Chris Boarland, chair of the governing board for Callington Community College, said: ‘I assured you that the governing board would give urgent consideration to finding a suitable successor to Mr Morris. Having discussed the matter at length and after receiving appropriate advice, the board concluded that there was insufficient time and opportunity to appoint a suitable, full time replacement for September this year.

‘Our decision therefore was that the governing board should appoint an interim principal to lead Callington Community College for the next academic year.

‘I am delighted to be able to inform you that following a rigorous interview process the board has appointed Mrs Kathy Hocking to the position of interim principal. Mrs Hocking has been working at the college as part of the leadership team for the last few months on secondment from Ivybridge Community College.

‘You may be aware that Mr Morris is currently absent from the college on sick leave. Miss Johnson has been ably covering as acting principal since the start of this term and I would like to thank her for taking on this role at short notice. Mrs Hocking will now assume the role of acting principal with immediate effect, until such time as Mr Morris returns to work.’

Mr Boarland stated that the governing board would advertise for a full time principal in early 2017 for appointment in September 2017.

Callington Community College is currently in special measures and will join Ivybridge Community College in a multi-academy Trust from September 2016.

In a previous letter, Mr Boarland acknowledged that parents may have felt the situation may bring further disruption to the college at an already difficult time, but reassured parents that the college team would try to make the transition as seamless as possible.