A Roman Catholic school is forcing a successful head teacher out of his job because he is not a Catholic.
Jon Reynard is attributed with saving the failing Annecy Catholic Primary School in Seaford, East Sussex.
Ofsted drafted Mr Reynard in to manage the school, which was placed into special measures after it was rated 'inadequate in every category, except pupil behavior and safety' last year.
In a statement seen by The Telegraph, a diocese spokesman said: 'To maintain the clear Catholic character of Catholic schools the Bishops of England and Wales have stated that the posts of head teacher, deputy head teacher and head of religious education are to be filled by baptised and practising Catholics.'
The Accord Coalition has urged Catholic dioceses to require their schools to appoint the best teachers available.
Chair of the Accord Coalition, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, said: 'Accord is regularly made aware of qualified teachers who are excluded from jobs at faith schools, including serving members of staff who are forced to leave their post for behaviour deemed to go against a school's religious tenants, such as for seeking a divorce. It is a widespread, but greatly under reported problem. The details of most cases are not in the public domain. It is a person's ability to teach or lead that should count, not the faith to which they do not adhere.'
Faith schools can recruit up to one-fifth of their staff, including their head, from within a particular faith as they are exempt from certain equalities provisions under employment law.