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The well-respected headteacher of Risca Community Comprehensive School has announced he is taking a leave of absence because of ill-health.

John Kendall has been head at the school since 2009 and was is due to retire at the end of this academic school year.

However, in a message posted to Twitter, Mr Kendall said he was facing a lengthy recovery from surgery.

He said: “I want to make you all aware that I have recently had some challenging health issues and that I am going to be off school with immediate effect for an operation, after which the recovery period is liable to be quite lengthy.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council, as the Local Education Authority will be providing extra support to the school while its senior assistant headteacher Jamie Oliver will act up.

Mr Kendall added: “Of course, this is not what I had expected in my last term before retirement. My colleagues here have been made aware for some time and they have been supportive, as have governors and LEA colleagues and I would like to express my gratitude to them as this has made a huge difference to me.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

In a further message he thanked people for their messages of support and praised the NHS for his care.

The school, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017, received a positive Estyn inspection report in December last year which highlighted its leadership and caring culture.