A headteacher who was brought in to turn around a failing school is to become an education guru for East Sussex.

Anthony Edkins joined Falmer High School in Brighton five and a half years ago as a troubleshooter in a bid to increase GCSE pass rates and get the school out of special measures.

Two years later he was made headteacher and presided as the school's fortunes were revived.

Now he has been offered a post as head of secondary school improvement with East Sussex County Council.

Mr Edkins, who was one of the youngest teachers in the UK to become a head, said: "It is a big jump and it is a big move for me - it's pretty scary. I could have gone at Easter but I requested I stayed until the end of the school year.

"Falmer is now in an incredibly strong position and we have had an excellent Ofsted report.

"There is going to be no change at the school until August 31 when I leave so parents need not panic.

"I'm delighted because it is good news but I will be sad to leave."

Mr Edkins said he would aim to raise standards across the board in his new job and support schools that were struggling.

He would also be looking at how the county council could help secondary schools improve.

He said of the school he was leaving: "Any new headteacher is going to have a wonderful opportunity. I am delighted I will be handing over a highly successful school."