Berkeley Institute principal Phyllis Curtis-Tweed is set to resign at the end of the academic year, the school’s governing body said.

According to a statement, she made the decision to resign in order to pursue another professional opportunity.

Dr Curtis-Tweed said: “Have no doubt that I leave with mixed emotions, having enjoyed and benefited from my time here as principal, but also believing that the new opportunity should be pursued.

“I have no doubt that good practices and programmes at the Berkeley Institute will be sustained and extended.

“Rest assured that I will support the school in the recruitment process and facilitate any transitional matters as needed.”

Craig Bridgewater, chairman of the Berkeley’s board of governors, thanked Dr Curtis-Tweed for her contributions to the school over the last three years, noting that she was only the second woman to hold the position in a substantive capacity in the school’s history.

“We certainly wish her well as she pursues other opportunities,” he added.

A statement from the school’s board of governors said: “While it will be business as usual for the remainder of the school year, the board has moved immediately to appoint a recruitment committee that will engage in a recruitment process to ensure that a successor has been appointed, and is in place, in advance of the start of the new school year in September 2017.”

Dr Curtis-Tweed was first appointed as principal at the school in December 2013, succeeding acting principal Keisha Douglas.