A RIBBLE Valley headteacher has left the school – just days before the start of the new term.

Steve Austin, 56, had been in charge of Whalley CE Primary School for three years but has decided to take early retirement.

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The announcement was made on the school’s website yesterday by the chairman of governors David Borland – a week before pupils return to the Church Lane school next Monday.

Mr Austin, a father-of-four who lives in Leyland, said: “It was a sudden decision and I have been holding talks with governors since July.

“I started thinking about it when I was looking into it for other members of staff.

“During the summer I wondered if the school would allow me to retire early and I asked the question.

“The deal was that I had to accept it immediately and that’s what I did. It’s possible for headteachers to retire early from the age of 55 and also my recent health issues have impacted on the final decision.

“The next stage is a big adventure and I don’t know what I’m going to do next.”

Mr Borland, who has chaired the board of governors for 15 years, said they hope to appoint a replacement by the start of the Easter term next year.

He said: “We informed the parents by text.

“He felt that he had taken the school as far as he could and plans will now be put in place a successor.”