THE principal of Tavistock College, Colin Eves, will not be returning to his job when term resumes next week, Devon County Council has confirmed.

He is to be temporarily replaced by principal of Okehampton College Daryll Chapman. No official explanation has been given as to the reasons behind Mr Eves' absence.

The college is awaiting the results of a recent Ofsted inspection after it was given a notice to improve last year.

Mr Chapman will take on the role of acting principal at Tavistock and his deputy at Okehampton, Derrick Brett, will assume the role of acting principal at that college.

Mr Eves joined the college as principal in September 2005 from Ilfracombe College, where he was also head.

In an interview with the Times after his appointment he said his main aims were to help every child achieve the very best possible academic results and to have the opportunities to develop the essential qualities and skills for the workplace and their everyday lives.

During his time at Devon's third biggest college, Mr Eves, 49, has seen a marked improvement in GCSE results and been a key player in the development of £3-million worth of community sports facilities at the school.

But despite good exam results over the past two years the college was given a notice to improve by Ofsted inspectors.

Inspectors were critical that the specific needs of individual students were not being met, of the under-achievement of male students, and of the monitoring of students' progress and their behaviour.

These concerns were reiterated last July and the college was told it had three months to turn itself around. Ofsted did acknowledge, however, that the school was making satisfactory progress in addressing the issues for improvement in raising pupils' achievement.

Changes were made to staffing with ten new teachers employed from September last year and a closer working relationship with local education authority advisors.

Both Mr Eves and chaiman of governors Mandy Govier said at the time that they were thrilled with the new appointments and were looking forward to taking the college into a new era.

Mrs Govier said this week: 'I am delighted that Daryll has agreed to provide temporary leadership for Tavistock College and I know he will have the full support of staff, students, parents and governors.'

The chairman of governors at Okehampton College, Ian Courtenay, said: 'Okehampton College is recognised as having outstanding leadership and management. Last month the Government highlighted it as one of the 40 most improved schools in the country for our GCSE results over the past four years.

'The governors agreed to release Daryll on a temporary basis to assist our neighbours at Tavistock College because we are confident that, in his absence, our excellent team at Okehampton College will step up to the plate and ensure our drive to provide the best possible education for all our students remains unabated.'