The replacement has been announced for an outgoing head teacher as he leaves after eight years in charge. 

Epping St John’s head George Yerosimou will retire on July 17 after 15 years of working at the school in Bury Lane, and more than half that time in charge.

He will be permanently replaced by Allan Osbourne in January 2016 before which Chris Seward, head of Davenant Foundation School in Loughton, will work on an interim basis.

Mr Osbourne is currently associate principal of Mark Hall Academy in Harlow and has held a number of senior management roles in schools across London and Essex.

St John’s chair of governors Ben Murphy said: “It is with pleasure that I am able to confirm that an offer of head teacher has been extended and accepted by Allan Osborne to replace Mr. Yerosimou…

“He is extremely focused on building upon the legacy Mr. Yerosimou leaves behind and taking the school on a 'journey to outstanding'.”

St John’s was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted following an inspection in 2012.

The report said: “It is well led by a strong head teacher, supported by his effective senior leadership team and middle leaders.

“Governance is good.

“The governing body shares the head teacher’s vision about how the school will improve further.”

Between September and December, Mr Seward will lead St John’s while continuing to work at the Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ Davenant but Mr Murphy said he has “agreed to spend a majority of his time at Epping St John’s”.