THE principal of the Oxford Academy, Mike Reading, has left the school.

A statement released by the Anglican Diocese of Oxford said he had left for personal reasons.

Mr Reading, pictured, was with the school for five years and had been on leave from his post at the Sandy Lane West secondary school since at least November 14.

Adrian Beecroft, chairman of the governing board of The Oxford Academy, said: “We want to thank Mike for his hard work and successes in leading the transition from the former Peers School in Littlemore to The Oxford Academy.

“He established us in our new buildings, dealt with the challenges of the past and has brought us to a much-improved place.

“He has created very strong foundations on which to build further success and we wish him all the best for the future.

“We remain committed to the highest possible educational standards.”

Vice principal Sarah Norcliffe was acting headteacher in Mr Reading’s absence, and a consultant is working at the school ahead of a new principal being appointed.

The school was Oxford’s first academy and is sponsored by the Diocese of Oxford, the Beecroft Trust and Oxford Brookes University.

Last summer it failed to meet Government floor targets for secondary schools, with only 26 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C GCSE grades, including English and maths.