The headteacher of Bath's Oldfield School has stepped down from her post.
The resignation of Kim Sparling after 16 years came on the day that parents have been called to a meeting to discuss the school's response to criticism from Ofsted, staff, council chiefs and teaching unions about the way in which it has been run in the past.
A new regime is now in place at the academy in Kelston Road and a comprehensive strategic development plan is being drawn up to rebuild faith in its leadership and governance.
An Ofsted report earlier this year criticised the relationship between Mrs Sparling and the governing body, saying that she was not properly held to account and that the governors relied too heavily on her versions of events when it came to complaints and grievances.
Those concerns are being echoed in a report by the Department for Education, whose officials made a follow-up visit to December's Ofsted inspection earlier this year.
The Ofsted inspectors had made a series of bombshell additional comments about Mrs Sparling's management style and the way staff had been treated, which were never officially published.
Mrs Sparling has been officially off sick and the school is being run by deputy head Matthew Woodville and educational consultant Vanessa Armstrong.
Pupils were told by Mr Woodville earlier today and a letter confirming Mrs Sparling's resignation was sent to parents by new chair of governors Stuart Weatherall this afternoon.
It says: "I am writing to let you know that that Mrs Kim Sparling has resigned as Headteacher of Oldfield School with effect from 30 April 2014. In the interests of the School, all associated with it and Mrs Sparling, the resignation has been accepted.
"A recruitment process will be undertaken with a view to appointing a new Headteacher to lead the School forward and maintain the 'outstanding' Ofsted grading for the benefit of the School and the community. Matthew Woodville will continue to hold the position of Acting Headteacher.
"The Governing Body is fully committed to working to address all concerns that have been raised."
After the Ofsted report was published, then chair of governors Julie Cope was replaced by Mr Weatherall, who has called tonight's meeting.
It has been timed to coincide with the report of the DfE investigation, which will call for a root and branch review of its governance procedures.
The meeting went ahead this evening but Mr Weatherall asked that no comments made were reported or tweeted. He felt that this would affect any statements the school wanted to make after the meeting.
Since the DfE sent a team from its Education Funding Agency in, Mr Weatherall has begun overhauling Oldfield's policies with the aim of increasing transparency, training and strategic planning.
The DfE report will not deal with the unpublished Ofsted criticism of Mrs Sparling's management style.
Mr Weatherall says he is determined to rebuild confidence in the school - rated as outstanding and historically providing the best state school exam results in the area - with a plan which includes a staff survey, the involvement of human resources experts, and new governor procedures and training.
He says the meeting will allow him to explain the plan - which also involves the establishment of a separate academy board to oversee some of the changes - and answer questions.
The school will have to officially respond to DfE ministers with details of its action plan.
There has been no official comment from the school today and Mr Woodville has been unavailable for comment.
@BathChron Sad but welcome news. Looking forward to meeting tonight. School will come through this #OldfieldSchool
— Andy (@AnalogueAndy) May 1, 2014
@AnalogueAndy@BathChron I believe it is a much happier place already. Staff and students will flourish now
— Kate Nash (@KateMrsnash) May 1, 2014
Thank you again to the @BathChron for covering this is in the way that it has done and to @DonFosterMP and @bathnes
— Andy (@AnalogueAndy) May 1, 2014
