A HEAD teacher is retiring after almost two decades at a York secondary school.

Kevin Deadman, head of Canon Lee School, is stepping down after 18 years at the Clifton secondary school, 13 of which have been at the helm.

Mr Deadman, a specialist in technology and IT teaching, is to retire at the end of the school year.

In a letter to parents and students he said: “It has been an enormous privilege and pleasure to have led the school during this time working with fabulous students, staff, parents and governors and seeing our school grow and succeed in so many ways.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as head teacher and leave the school at a point where I know it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Mr Deadman started his teaching career in East Sussex in one of the country’s first community colleges before moving to Norfolk as a head of department and then senior teacher.

He moved to York in 1994 as deputy head teacher at Canon Lee before being appointed head teacher in 1999.

Early in his headship he oversaw the £4 million expansion of Canon Lee School when Queen Anne’s School closed and Canon Lee almost doubled in size. Among Mr Deadman’s other achievements were the school gaining specialist arts college status in 2005.

The Canon Lee governors are now working with City of York Council to appoint a new head teacher for September who can continue to drive the school forward into the future.

Pete Dwyer, education chief at City of York Council, said: “Kevin has been the heart and soul of Canon Lee School for over 18 years and I thank him for his continuous commitment and dedication to the pupils, parents and community. We wish him well on his retirement.”