A headteacher says he is "immensely proud" of the changes he has seen at the school after announcing he will be stepping down after 10 years.

Warren Smith is leaving Folkestone Academy at the end of the year with a new team lined up to take over in September.

He joined the school when it was being built in 2007 and has been at the helm for the last decade.

During that time the school has grown from a building site to sending more than 500 pupils to university and hundreds more into careers.

The school secured a good Ofsted rating at its last inspection in 2015.

Mr Smith said: "I am very proud of the positive role the Academy has played in this community.

"The historic achievement of a good Ofsted was a particular high point in my time with the Academy and I wish the school well as it enters its second decade.

"The Primary Academy and Kindergarten go from strength to strength and offer an excellent start for our youngest pupils. The Secondary phase continues to develop and offer an exciting range of opportunities. I am also delighted the Glassworks is now the largest -post-16 provider in the district.

"I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved since 2007. The Academy’s new partnership with Turner Schools marks the beginning of a new chapter in collaboration, and I wish my colleagues, the students and all of you the very best for the future.”

Paying tribute to Mr Smith, academy chief executive, Jo Saxton, said: "Trustees and I wish Warren well in this new phase of his career, and thank him for his commitment to and leadership of the school."

A new leadership team, headed by Andrew Milliken, will be taking over in the new school year.

Mr Milliken is joining from Sedgehill School in Lewisham, south east London, and is a history specialist.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining Folkestone Academy and building on the achievements of Mr Smith and its first decade.

"I look forward to the productive new relationships I will build with you, our students and staff."

He will be joined by Wesley Carroll, who moves from his role as assistant principal at the John Wallis Academy in Ashford, and Jane Waters who is assistant principal at the Oasis Academy in Sheppey.

Mr Carroll is a music specialist, who lives in Folkestone, and Mrs Waters with a background in Food and Design Technology and exam board advisor will become the school's new vice principals.