A head teacher caught drink-driving after crashing his BMW has spoken of his "great embarrassment" following his court case.

Gary Vyse, 35, who leads the Hundred of Hoo Academy in Hoo St Werburgh, made his first public statement since being banned from driving and receiving a large fine.

However, the shame of his criminal conviction appears to have cost him more than the court penalty. In a statement on the website of the Williamson Trust, which runs the school, he admits his behaviour was "reckless".

He said: "Many will know of my ‘no excuses’ policy for pupils at my school and that is something that I myself also live by. My actions were wrong and this is something I will always regret.

"I would like to apologise for what has happened, and reassure you that the moment of recklessness which has caused great embarrassment for me, was incredibly out of character and it’s certainly not something I condone.”

Mr Vyse's disciplinarian approach came to prominence earlier this year when he banned false eyelashes, fake tan and heavy make-up saying "school is not a fashion parade".

However, the conviction after his arrest in Larkfield will come as a huge blow to his otherwise successful career which saw him take over as the trust's chief executive from the respected Dr Gary Holden who left in the summer. It is understood that some parents are calling for him to stand down.

Trust chairman Michael Costello, has spoken to Mr Vyse since last Friday's court case.

He said: "He has apologised profusely but is aware of the disappointment the Trust feels over a matter of this seriousness. The trust expects the highest standards of behaviour of its leaders, both inside and outside of schools and we have been let down on this occasion.

"He is under no illusions that I am very concerned at the incident but I am also aware of the extenuating circumstances that surrounded Mr Vyse that preceded the incident.

'The trust expects the highest standards of behaviour of its leaders'

"Mr Vyse will continue in his present role as interim CEO and the Trust will continue to monitor the performance of all its schools as it seeks to pursue with relentless vigour the task of improving the education of all pupils within Trust schools.

"Mr Vyse has done an excellent job in the past 3 months as interim CEO of the Trust, and for many years as Headteacher at the Hundred of Hoo Academy. The Trust will continue present arrangements and will look to appoint a permanent CEO, as a matter of priority as originally planned."