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A school head teacher has announced he is standing down from his position.
Matthew Baxter, who was executive head of both Langton grammars in Canterbury until earlier this year, will leave his top role at the boys' school at the start of next year.
During his time as executive head, he helped steady the ship during a turbulent time at the girls' school, when former head Jane Robinson quit following an investigation into her treatment of staff and pupils.
His role involved overseeing the management of both Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School and The Langton Grammar School for Boys.
In a letter sent home to parents, Mr Baxter said: "For much of the past two-and-a-half years I worked as executive headteacher across the two schools at a time when the girls’ school experienced difficulties with leadership and reputation.
"After nineteen years at the Langton, I am now moving in to the final years of my career and have made the decision to move to a less public role in the school.
"My commitment to the Langton and my passion for education remain as strong as ever and I will spend the rest of my time at the school working more closely with our students and teachers to continue to improve standards of teaching, learning and, above all, to support the personal development of all the school’s students.
"I also have the opportunity to end my career where it began - by returning to the classroom."
Following a "very extensive and rigorous selection process", governors have made the unanimous decision to award Ken Moffat - the current head of school - with the top head teacher role at the boys' school.
In the letter, Mr Baxter said: "Mr Moffat and I have worked closely for many years and he has played a significant role in articulating, developing and realising the school’s vision, thus contributing to the Langton’s outstanding reputation.
"While Mr Moffat will have his own leadership style and will want to establish new initiatives, the governors and I are united in our confidence that the fundamental values and beliefs which define the Langton, and which I inherited and now pass on, will remain central to the school’s philosophy.
"The school has the capacity, vision and momentum to continue to be recognised as one of the finest state schools in the country."
Mr Moffat will become head teacher of the boys' school in January.
The girls' school is currently undergoing a major transformation, with a new-build school under construction. The old school will then bulldozed.
