RACHEL Bennett, who has been on ‘compassionate leave’ at Court Fields School, Wellington, has stepped down as headteacher.

She has been replaced by Polly Matthews who will continue as acting head until January when the school will look for a new headteacher.

Parents and students were given the news by letter by Sarah Watson, chief executive of The Castle Partnership Trust, on Friday.

She said: “As you know, Ms Bennett has been on compassionate leave since the beginning of this term and I know you will be sad to hear that she has decided to step down as headteacher of Court Fields School after half -term.

“Ms Bennett wishes to return to the full-time teaching of Geography, which she loves. I am pleased that she has agreed to continue to work in the trust and that she will be joining the department at The Castle School.

“I know you will want me to thank Ms Bennett for all that she has done for Court Fields School and to wish her well in her new role at The Castle School.

“In the meantime, Mrs Matthews will continue as acting headteacher at Court Fields until January when we will look to appoint a new headteacher.

“Ms Bennett has asked me to pass on her thanks and best wishes to all those in the Wellington Community who have supported both her and the school.”

Ms Bennett became deputy head at Court Fields in 2011 and was appointed head in September, 2014.

Her decision to step down follows an Ofsted report in March which gave the school an overall effectiveness rating of ‘requires improvement’, the same rating it had achieved in the previous inspection in December 2016.

The ‘quality of teaching, learning and assessment’, ‘effectiveness of leadership and management’ and ‘outcomes for pupils’ were all said to require improvement.

‘Personal development, behaviour and welfare’ was rated good. Highlighting the school’s strengths, the report said: “This is a school that is showing signs of improving. Leaders’ concerted efforts have improved behaviour and the rates of attendance overall. Academic standards are rising in some year groups and in some areas of the curriculum.

“Leaders have recruited wisely to teaching and middle leadership posts. Middle leaders, both academically and pastorally, are committed and well placed to support senior leaders to make more rapid improvement.”

The report also commented on the effectiveness of the governors in its key findings. It said: “Governors ask the right questions of school leaders, but do not probe incisively enough. Consequently, they are not fully informed of the impact of leaders’ actions to improve the quality of teaching.”

In another key finding the report said: “A significant minority of parents and carers are dissatisfied with aspects of the school’s work.”