The 'super head' boss of 19 secondary and primary schools, responsible for 12,000 pupils, has left his role with immediate effect.

In a surprise move, Jon Whitcombe, who was chief executive officer of Swale Academies Trust which runs nine secondary schools and 10 primary schools across Kent and East Sussex, has decided to hand over the reins five months earlier than expected.

He had already agreed to step down in March next year but emailed staff and governors on October 6 saying he was leaving with immediate effect.

Mr Whitcombe became known as a 'super head' who was parachuted into a number of poor performing schools and then spectacularly turned them around, notably Meopham School.

It was rated 'inadequate' in 2012 but by 2019 had become an 'outstanding' school, according to Ofsted inspectors.

He had been with the trust for more than 10 years and before that was head of Westlands School in Sittingbourne from 1998. The trust educates more than 12,000 children.

Education expert Peter Read, writing on the Kent Independent Education Advice website, said: "Jon rightly has a reputation for being a robust negotiator. The trust has a bruising reputation for achieving its aims but, as a result, has the best Ofsted profile of any academy group in the county."

He pointed out that Mr Whitcombe was one of Kent's highest paid leaders with a salary approaching £200,000.

In a letter to staff, Mr Whitcombe said: "As you will be aware, I had planned to step down from my role as trust CEO in March 2023.

"The timing was designed to give the board of trustees the necessary space to secure my replacement and allow new leadership to settle in."

He said his replacements had made "an excellent start" and he felt it "appropriate" to hand over the reins early.

He added: "I would like to thank you all for your support over the years and I wish you a happy and successful future."

His deputy Mike Wilson has begun taking over many CEO duties and Suzanne Dickinson has taken over as director of secondary schools.

The trust controls Kent secondary academies Westlands and the Sittingbourne School in Sittingbourne, the Whitstable School in Whitstable, the North School in Ashford, Holmesdale School in Snodland and the 'outstanding' Meopham School.

Despite its high rating, however, the school has hit the headlines recently over allegations of violence there, which prompted one mum to liken it to Belmarsh prison, saying her son is attacked on a weekly basis.

The trust also runs Beaver Green primary in Ashford, Westlands primary and Regis Manor primary in Sittingbourne, South Borough primary in Maidstone and Istead Rise primary near Gravesend as well as James Dixon primary in Bromley and seven schools in East Sussex.

A spokesman for Swale Academies Trust said: "We can confirm that Mike Wilson, former deputy chief executive officer, has succeeded Jon Whitcombe in the role of CEO following his planned retirement.

"Jon Whitcombe made an outstanding contribution as the leader of the Trust since its establishment in 2010 and prior to that as head teacher at Westlands School.

"Jon worked tirelessly to improve the life chances for all pupils and led the development of the organisation to one that educates more than 12,000 pupils.

"The trust wishes Jon Whitcombe every happiness in his retirement."