THE head of one of Worcestershire’s top private schools is retiring after more than a decade at the helm.

Tim Keyes will step down from his role at King’s Worcester next year and the search for his replacement will begin next term.

In a letter announcing his retirement in summer 2014, Mr Keyes said it had been a “privilege” to lead the school for the past 15 years.

He said: “They have been exhilarating years, and it has been a matter of great pride to me that the school has maintained and even enhanced its reputation as one of the foremost schools in the Midlands in terms of academic results, the quality of pastoral care and the breadth and levels of achievement in extra-curricular activity.

“A special feature of being a large school at the centre of a small city is that King’s has so many good connections with people and institutions in Worcester and works so harmoniously with them for our mutual benefit.

“This has always made Mary Anne and me feel that we are part of a much bigger family. Every time we walk down the High Street, it is like an extended social event.”

He said he would be keen to endorse the school and the community to his eventual successor in the role at King’s, which was refounded by Henry VIII in 1541.

“The post will be advertised at the start of next term,” Mr Keyes wrote.

“I am looking forward to being able to start the final year in a position to commend to the King’s community and to all with whom we have close connections in Worcester and the surrounding area a man or woman who will be just the right person to lead the King’s Foundation through the next phase of its evolution.

“I will be happy to tell the candidates that, based on my own experience, I cannot imagine a more rewarding school of which to be head. It was been a great privilege.”