One of the city’s most popular head teachers has decided to call time on his teaching career after 22 years at the same school.

Bob Wall, head teacher at Hillside School in Portslade, will retire at the end of the academic year and insists whoever takes over from him will walk into a dream job.

Mr Wall, who will be 56 when he calls it a day, said: “The decision wasn’t taken lightly and it was very tough, but I have been thinking about it for a year or so.

“Some of it is personal reasons, such as wanting to spend more than an hour at home with my wife, and some of it is professional reasons.

“I love the place – the staff, the pupils, the parents, but headship is very demanding and it’s not getting any easier.

“I’d be lying if I said Ofsted didn’t have an effect on it, because I’ve had five in my time and I don’t plan on going through another one.”

Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, has praised the fantastic work and dedication of Bob Wall.

Mike has been so impressed |with Bob’s role locally that he praised Bob’s stellar leadership in Parlia-ment.

In his Maiden Speech, which he gave shortly after his election in 2010, Mike championed Bob as a ‘model head teacher’.

The MP said: “Bob has been an absolutely fantastic head teacher at Hillside and so his retirement will undoubtedly be a big change for the school.

“I have heard from so many people, including parents, staff and members of the community, as well as seen for myself, that Bob’s dedication is second to none.

“Bob’s incredible work will be tough to follow and he will be sorely missed, but I wish him a happy and fulfilling retirement – he certainly deserves it.”

Hillside is a school for pupils aged four to 16 years who have moderate, severe and profound learning difficulties, where Mr Wall has lead for 22 years and has been with the school for more than 26 years.

Mr Wall added: “The reason I’ve given so much notice is that I want the school to be able to plan and get the right person in, and that’s all I want, for it to be in good hands moving forward.

“Whoever is lucky enough to take this post will walk into a place with the most tremendous staff.”