The headteacher of a secondary school threatened with closure has resigned.

Children, staff and parents were told as term ended yesterday that Faith Spinlove has stepped down as head of Alderman Blaxill School in Shrub End.

Vice-principal John West said: "I can confirm that Miss Spinlove has decided to resign from her post as headteacher.

"She won't be back with us at the beginning of the new term, and is not in school at the moment."

Mrs Spinlove had taken on the top job in March 2006, having joined the school as deputy head in September 2003.

Her departure brings to an end a troubled year for the school.

Essex County Council has proposed closing Alderman Blaxill and Thomas, Lord Audley (TLA) School in Monkwick and building a 1,200-capacity academy in their place, with public consultation currently taking place.

Mrs Spinlove had told the Gazette she was "totally shocked" and "deeply disturbed" when the closure threat was leaked in June.

An Ofsted report published later that month blasted the school as "inadequate", "unsatisfactory" and "poor" and placed it on special measures.

The county's education chief Tracey Chapman thanked Mrs Spinlove for her work during "a challenging time for the school".

An interim head is currently being appointed to take charge from January.

Mrs Spinlove declined to comment when contacted by the Gazette yesterday.

  • More in today's Gazette