BOURNEMOUTH and Poole College Principal Lawrence Vincent will leave his post next summer, it has been revealed.

Shocked staff were told the news today but students have yet to be informed about the move.

Mr Vincent said the post will be advertised at the end of this month but said he will stay until the end of the academic year.

He told staff: “I am today making an internal announcement telling college staff that I will be leaving my post as college Principal at the end of this academic year.

“The project that I was brought in to achieve, namely to modernise and improve the college, will have been completed by then and I will be moving on to new challenges.

“I know next August is a long way away but it will take several months to recruit a new Principal. The post will be advertised at the end of this month and I wanted to tell you before then.”

Mr Vincent, also the Chief Executive of the College, stressed that, until he leaves, “it will be business as usual.”

A statement released officially by the head reads: "I have decided that it's time for me to move on as Principal of Bournemouth & Poole College.

"The project that I was brought in to achieve, namely to modernise and improve the college will have been completed by the end of the current Academic Year and I will be moving on to new challenges. I am delighted to say that this college is in the strongest position that it’s ever been in, for its students, its community and the region's employers.

"I know next August is a long way away but it will take several months to recruit a new Principal. I have had a wonderful 20 years here and will have been Principal for 6 years by the time I depart; I’ll be around for some while yet. I want to be sure that the college gets a new leader who will be the right fit for the college’s ambitions."

Joy Postings, Chair of the Board of Corporation commented: "We are very sorry Lawrence is leaving us at the end of this academic year. He has created a strong base on which the college's reputation within the community has grown. Lawrence has transformed how we work with businesses, ensuring our students leave with the confidence and skills that they need to get jobs and progress in their careers."