A Norfolk headteacher has ditched her £100,000-a-year job mid-term for a new role in the Middle East.

Zoe Fisher will leave her role as principal of Wymondham College halfway through the academic year to move to Dubai to take a position as CEO of an international school.

Ms Fisher said the decision came with "mixed feelings" and school faculty is reportedly "surprised" at the move. 

Zoe Fisher will become the CEO and headteacher of an international school in Dubai at the end of the yearZoe Fisher will become the CEO and headteacher of an international school in Dubai at the end of the year (Image: Sapienta Education Trust) As well as leaving her £100k-a-year job, she will be uprooting her family to the Gulf state, including her child who is a student at the college.

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While the school tries to find a replacement, it will appoint two interim joint heads from within its staff for the rest of this academic year.

Wymondham College is part of the Sapienta Education Trust which operates 20 institutions across Norfolk and Suffolk and is the country's largest boarding academy.

The college will appoint two interim heads while it searches for Ms Fisher's replacementThe college will appoint two interim heads while it searches for Ms Fisher's replacement (Image: Wymondham College) Ms Fisher has a master's degree in education and began her teaching career in schools across London where she worked as head of department, assistant head of sixth form and director of faculty.

She joined the Sapienta Trust in 2018 as director of secondary before becoming principal of Wymondham College.

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The academy is often rated "outstanding" by Ofsted, earning top marks in overall support, leadership and student experience. 

Ms Fisher will end her principalship at Wymondham College in DecemberMs Fisher will end her principalship at Wymondham College in December (Image: Wymondham College) A recent inspection said: "The actions of the school contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people."

It charges £15,000 a year for boarders but day pupils who travel in to learn pay no fees. 

Jonathan Taylor, CEO of Sapientia Education Trust, said: "Zoe Fisher has worked at Wymondham College for the last nine years as an excellent deputy head and more recently as a great principal.

"Her service has been exemplary, and it is time for her and her family to seek new challenges overseas.  She goes with our blessing."