WEST Somerset Community College head Nick Swann has announced he is stepping down as principal after more than 16 years in the post.

Mr Swann, 57, will retire at the end of the current academic year in July, leaving the college with what he describes as a future that looks very bright.

In a letter to parents this week, he said there would never be an easy time to move on from "such a special place".

"It has been a privilege and an honour to lead the college through a long and exciting journey and to work with such an amazing team of professionals," said Mr Swann.

"The exceptional support I have received from staff, governors, parents and the local community has been most heart-warming and fundamental to all the success we have been able to build together.

"The college has come a long way over the last 16 years and the future looks very bright."

Mr Swann came to West Somerset after serving as a deputy head at Chosen Hill secondary school in Gloucestershire.

When he arrived, the college campus featured a series of temporary huts, less than state-of-the-art science facilities and a narrow range of courses.

During his time, which has seen major investment, the college has acquired specialist technology status, become an academy and massively extended its curriculum.

Mr Swann said some might question why he was retiring on a rising tide when there was so much to look forward to, but he said he believed the time was right, both professionally and personally.

"The college has never been in a stronger position - a year-on-year upward trend in student achievement, a superb team of staff with many exceptional teachers, a highly committed governing body and an extremely supportive local community," he said.

"The college is, therefore, well placed to grasp future opportunities for students, at the same time as meeting the unpredictable challenges all schools will face in a climate of rapid political and economic change."

Mr Swann said the current opportunities were likely to be an attractive prospect for any potential new principal: "The job is not done and there will be many new challenges for whoever takes on the post.

"There are still improvements to be made and the college is not a finished article by any means."

For the last six years, Mr Swann has helped coach aspiring headteachers through the National Professional Qualification for Headship programme and he intends to continue and expand his involvement in his retirement.

He is also planning to embark on "one or two private ventures" although he is remaining tightlipped about the details.

In the immediate future he has no plans to leave West Somerset, an area he says he is passionate about.

Mr Swann admitted it would be a huge wrench to leave the college after developing a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to it over many years.

But he said he would be helping to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, with the governors seeking professional expertise to market both the post and college in a bid to attract the strongest possible field of candidates.

The job is expected to be advertised within the next month or so, with interviews probably being held in March.