A high-flying Oxford head has been shortlisted for a Headteacher of the Year award within days of announcing his resignation.

Adrian Percival, 43, who has helped Matthew Arnold School become one of the most improved schools nationally, will be doing the same for schools across the country as part of a Government improvement stategy.

As he announced his resignation to parents and pupils, Mr Percival discovered he was a finalist in the Teaching Awards 2005 and will go through to the regional final in July.

During his six years at the Cumnor school, the number of pupils achieving the benchmark grades A* to C at GCSE has increased from 43 per cent to 69 per cent.

Mr Percival taught physics when he began his teaching career in 1987. He worked at schools in Stafford, Reading and Camberley before taking over at Matthew Arnold.

A book he co-wrote with his former deputy headteacher, Susan Tranter -- who is now running Fitzharrys School in Abingdon -- was published in January.

How to Run Your School Successfully draws on their experience running Matthew Arnold.

Mr Percival said: "I don't think any other school has meant as much to me as Matthew Arnold and I'm sad to leave, but it's an opportunity to do something I think will make a real difference and I can't turn it down."

Parents congratulated Mr Percival on being shortlisted for the award, but said they were sad to see him go.

Keith Bartley, director for Learning and Culture at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Adrian has made a very significant contribution to school improvement in Oxfordshire.

"An Oxfordshire headteacher being appointed to a very important national role such as this reflects well on all the schools in the county and Adrian leaves with all our best wishes."