WILLIAM Howard School has announced that head teacher Chris McAree will step down after a 'spell of ill health'. 

An open letter to parents penned by the chief executive of the Cumbria Education Trust (CET) and former William Howard head Lorrayne Hughes and the chair of the Local Advisory Board, John Storr confirmed the news. 

Maths specialist Mr McAree joined William Howard School as head in 2016 after departing as head of Caldew School, Dalston.

In the letter to parents, Mrs Hughes and Mr Storr paid tribute to Mr McAree's time at the Brampton secondary school.

They said: "We are sure you would like to join with us and thank him for all that he achieved while headteacher."

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It was also confirmed that the CET had worked with Mr McAree to "agree an alternative role to keep his considerable skills within the Trust."

Mr McAree will transition into his new role over the half-term leading up to Easter, with a view to taking up a new CET post in the summer term as maths lead.

Mrs Hughes and Mr Storr also confirmed that Kath Pigdon would continue as deputy headteacher, supported by the CET's director of secondary education, Des Bird. 

They said: "We are confident that the arrangements we have put in place will ensure the school continues to go from strength to strength; we have a wonderful and dedicated staff body who want the very best for the young people they are responsible for.

"As always, we look to work pro-actively with you. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us; by working together we can ensure that every young person achieves fully.

"Thank you for your support during this period of transition."