A Norfolk headteacher praised for his 'outstanding leadership' is set to retire at the end of the summer term.

John Robson has been headteacher at Hobart High School in Loddon for 12 years and Loddon Junior School for two years after the two formed a pioneering partnership.

Hobart High School has twice been judged 'outstanding' by Ofsted under Mr Robson's leadership, confirming its place as one of the county's top secondary schools.

And last May inspectors heaped praise on the junior school for its progress declaring it a 'good' school compared to a 'satisfactory' assessment three years earlier.

The school was said to have experienced an 'extraordinary level of turbulence' following staff changes and Mr Robson was praised for his efforts to turn it around.

The report said: 'Following the appointment of the partnership headteacher the school has made extremely rapid progress in addressing all of its weaknesses.

'His outstanding leadership has energised and raised the morale of the whole school community. Parents say there is now 'inspirational teaching and absolutely fantastic pastoral care.''

Last night Mr Robson, 58, said it had been a privilege being headteacher at the two schools.

'For me I feel there is a time when you have stewardship of an organisation to hand that on to somebody else,' he said.

'I feel it is the right time for the schools and for me.

'I think both institutions are dynamic, extremely forward looking and want the best for children. I want to find people to take that challenge on and develop it.'

He continued: 'It is a privileged position being a head and with it comes huge challenges. Sometimes if you get it right the impact it can have on children and your community can be immense.

'The school prides itself on two things; getting the children to do their very best academically and also trying to develop young people's skills, attributes and knowledge and make them successful young citizens in our community.

'As a school we have done that very well - I am not sure whether the second one is more important than the first.'

Mr Robson said the youngsters are the schools 'best ambassadors'.

'I think they are commendable and it is a real joy teaching them,' he said.

Mr Robson is married to Helen. The couple have two daughters Kate and Fiona and live in East Dereham.

Mr Robson was head of sixth form at Swaffham Hamond's High School between 1987 and 1999 before moving to Hobart High School.

He said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and doing some travelling.

The headteacher positions at Hobart High School and Loddon Junior School have been advertised separately, with new heads sought for both schools.