Agriculture college principal to leave

A college principal suspended six months ago is to leave his college following complaints about his "aggressive" management style. Barry Gimbert, aged 48, of Cannington Agricultural College, Bridgewater, Somerset, steps down as principal immediately but will stay on in the post of management development associate until retiring in September next year.

A high staff turnover was one factor which led governors to launch a formal investigation into "management style and lack of confidence" which was due to culminate in a hearing last week cancelled following the compromise.

Governors' chairman John Alvis said: "This was the decision which both the corporation and principal agreed was the correct route forward for the college."

A Further Education Funding Council inspection this spring is understood to praise the education on offer at Cannington.