Sevenoaks School is to say farewell to its head teacher - after 17 years.

Dr Katy Ricks is leaving to take up the post of Chief Master at King Edward’s School in Birmingham, where she will become the first female Chief Master in the school’s 466-year history.

Dr Ricks has been head of Sevenoaks School since 2002.

During that time she has overseen the school’s full transition to the International Baccalaureate, the introduction of its own externally moderated exams - the Sevenoaks School Certificates, the development of the school campus and other curriculum innovations.

During her term, Sevenoaks has twice been the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year, first in 2008 and again this year.

Dr Ricks said: “I don’t need to say what a wrench leaving Sevenoaks will be, but the opportunity to bring the experience I have gained here to a different school in a different part of the country where I have connections is really exciting. I will be sad, but proud, to leave an outstanding team of staff here at Sevenoaks to continue to deliver the school’s unique vision.”

The chairman of governors, Nicholas Gould, said: “Academic and co-curricular excellence and innovation have been the hallmark of Dr Ricks’ leadership, together with the creation of a raft of superb new facilities, and a growing number of assisted places supported by a successful philanthropic ethos.

“The governors all feel much gratitude to Dr Ricks for her exceptional service to Sevenoaks School and wish her every success in her new role.”

They are now in the process of selecting a new head.