The headteacher of a new free school has stepped down - only a day after the school finally secured a site.

Martin Blain will not be the head of Harperbury Free School when it opens in September next year.

The school was due to open this September in the former Harperbury Hospital in Harpers Lane, but did not secure the site in time.

Yesterday The Education Funding Agency announced it has secured the site from the Department of Health on behalf of the Harperbury Free School Trust.

A statement published on the school’s website today read: “Martin Blain has played a key role in the development of Harperbury Free School but after consultation with trustees and others, it has been agreed that he is not the person to bring the project to fruition and that his talent is better suited to a different opportunity.

“We are sure all parents will join us in thanking Martin for all that he has done in his time on the project team and wish him well in his future endeavours."

Martin said: "By mutual agreement with the governors I have decided to persue other opportunities. I wish the school every success."

Harperbury Free School is a new state secondary school primarily for families living in Shenley, Radlett, London Colney, Bricket Wood, Park Street, Borehamwood and Elstree.

The school site will be at the northern end of the former Harperbury Hospital site, close to Harper Lane.

Although the school buildings will not be completed in time for the initial intake of students next September, governors are working closely with the Education Funding Agency to secure the use of an existing building within the catchment area for the school on a temporary basis from September 2015.

The school will open with an initial intake of 120 Year 7 students and will grow year by year until full with up to 840 students in 2021.