THE principal of a Dudley school has quit following a recent Ofsted inspection.

Holly Hall Academy announced Rob Hatch's resignation earlier this week.

Mr Hatch joined the Scotts Green Close school in September 2015, just four months after the education watchdog rated it as 'requires improvement'.

A subsequent inspection report in April 2016 noted that Mr Hatch had joined a school "facing significant financial challenges" and "legacy issues of staffing and leadership structures" but recognised that the "pace of improvement" had accelerated since his arrival.

In September last year, the school joined Dudley Academies Trust, which also brings together Castle High School, Hillcrest School and Community College and High Arcal School under the sponsorship of Dudley College.

Jo Higgins, CEO of the trust, said: "Following the recent Ofsted inspection, Rob Hatch decided to leave the academy.

"The Dudley Academy Trust board fully recognises Mr Hatch’s contribution to the leadership of the school and wishes him every success for the future."

Andy Landers, who has spent eight years as the deputy head at Hillcrest, has been appointed as his interim replacement.

Although the official Ofsted report - which follows an inspection in December last year - is yet to be published, Ms Higgins added: "I am very pleased to confirm that the Ofsted team validated all of the strategic plans for the school that the trust is implementing at pace.

"As chief executive officer of the trust, I will be supporting Mr Landers and all staff at Holly Hall to ensure that our post Ofsted action plan is fully in place and that we are able to rapidly improve our school."