ONE of Worcester's highest achieving schools will say goodbye to its headteacher at the end of the academic year, after more than a decade in charge.

Walter Jones will leave the Royal Grammar School, Worcester, in the summer for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run the Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar boarding school, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Mr Jones has been at The Tything school since 1993, overseeing major changes, such as the move to co-education, which should be complete by 2007, and the establishment of the junior school, The Grange.

He has also raised academic standards - with a 100 per cent A-level pass rate this year against 93 per cent a decade ago.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Worcester," said Mr Jones.

"RGS is an outstanding school with first-rate staff and a tremendous group of students.

Living in Worcester has been a great experience for my family and me."

The Governors of RGS Worcester are planning to to make a new appointment during the coming term.