Parents are reported to be angry that a successful headteacher who turned round a failing Catholic primary school will not be allowed to stay in his post, because he is not a Catholic.

Jon Reynard was installed as headmaster at Annecy Catholic Primary School in Seaford, Essex, after the school was put on special measures by Ofsted last year. This followed his success in running a neighbouring school, and parents are understood to be pleased with the improvements that he has made.

However the local Catholic Diocese will not allow him to keep the role, and he is likely to leave after Ofsted inspects the school again in a few weeks' time.

Faith schools are able to opt-out of certain aspects of discrimination legislation, and are allowed to select a certain quota of staff on the basis of faith. Secularist groups frequently challenge the practice.

Mr Reynard did not respond to requests for comment. He had been quoted in the Daily Mail, stating that he knew that he could not stay in the position permanently, and that he had not been asked to leave yet.

A spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton defended the decision in a statement: "To maintain the clear Catholic character of Catholic Schools the Bishops of England and Wales have stated that posts of headteacher, deputy headteacher and head or coordinator of religious education 'are to be filled by baptised and practising Catholics'. The right to apply this preference in church schools is recognised in law."