A headteacher will be stepping down from his post in Keighley to take on a new role as head of the country’s biggest Catholic school.

Lawrence Bentley, who lives in Horsforth, will have been head of Holy Family Catholic School for six years when he departs this August.

This September he is to become head of the new St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College, in Bradford.

He said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Holy Family. He was already familiar with the school well before 2008, as he was a trainee teacher there in the mid 1980s.

“I’ve had an amazing time, and it will be a wrench to leave,” he said. “It’s tough, hard, stressful work sometimes, but very rewarding.

“The kids are fantastic and the staff, parents and governors have been supportive.

“I think it’s important that a head teacher does not stay in post for too long – a school should get a fresh pair of eyes in the hot seat.

Commenting on his new post, he said: “It’s quite an exciting prospect, but it’s also a monster of a job in many ways.”

Before arriving at Holy Family, Mr Bentley had taught in Dewsbury, Menston and Featherstone.