An inspiring headteacher at a school who has been fighting cancer for more than three years has stepped down to concentrate on battling the disease.

James Howarth has now left the Hathaway Academy, in Hathaway Road, Grays, where he has been principal since June 2013.

He has been battling blood cancer since mid-2014 and has previously taken leaves of absence while undergoing treatment.

He made the difficult decision to step down from his role as headteacher after the cancer returned a third time.

Ian Cleland, chief executive officer at Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), which runs the academy, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that James Howarth is leaving the academy with immediate effect.

“Despite his ongoing fight with this terrible disease, sadly it has once more returned and in Mr Howarth’s own words, he is unable to give the job his full and ongoing attention.

“In Mr Howarth’s absence, Fatima Rodrigues will continue to do the brilliant job she has been doing and offer fantastic stability at this time.”

In December 2015, Mr Howarth delivered a powerful assembly to students in which he instructed them to take on opportunities and challenges, a video of which was viewed more than 15,000 times.

In a touching message, he said: “It is with heartbreak that I inform you I have resigned my position as principal of Hathaway Academy.

“My cancer has returned and despite the unbelievable support of Trust and their chief executive Ian Cleland, my inconsistent attendance, due to my illness, has begun to impact on student outcomes. I will continue to keep a very close eye on the academy and help in any way I can.

“I cannot thank Fatima Rodrigues enough for her unfaltering drive for excellence in my absence.

“Education will always be my moral purpose and I am devastated to be in this position.

“I am going to say thank you and farewell to staff and students. It will be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I made them all a promise of becoming outstanding and I am stepping off the bus before our journey is complete. I am genuinely so so so sorry.”

Mr Howarth will deliver a final assembly tomorrow before personally bidding farewell to everyone at the gates until 2.50pm.