Ian Adam retires from his post as head of Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby, at the end of the summer term.

Replacing him is Honor Byford, who is the deputy head and has been at the school for 27 years.

Mr Adam has worked at the school for 10 years and has also had roles as executive head at St Catherine's High and co-director of Campus Calderdale.

He will now be having a well-deserved break to go travelling in the Far East and Australia with his wife Diane, who is a primary school head in Bradford.

Mr Adam said: "I have had a great time here. It has been a fantastic 10 years.

"The icing on the cake was the opening of the new school that was a dim and distant dream when I arrived.

"It was a tremendous sense of achievement once we moved in."

And exam results are improving year-on-year.

"I have worked with some fantastic staff and some outstanding students who I have really enjoyed spending time with," said Mr Adam.

Mrs Byford said she had loved every minute of her 27 years and was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

She arrived as an English teacher and has spent time as head of drama, head of year, head of sixth form and deputy head.

Staff and students greeted the news of her appointment with a standing ovation. Mr Adam said: "The response has been magnificent."

Mrs Byford plans to make sure the school builds on its success.

There are curriculum initiatives and developments on the horizon, including the development of the new creative and media arts diploma.

She said it was important that every student has suitable choices to maximise their potential.

Mr Adam said: "Because Mrs Byford is taking over the school will remain the hub of the community, which is really important."

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