HEADTEACHER Shelia Jones from troubled St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Devizes has resigned from her post after spending the last three months on sick leave.

A letter to parents sent out today said: "You will all have been aware that Mrs Jones’ health has been suffering over recent months and she has not been able to come to school. I am writing to inform you that Mrs. Jones has now decided that her health has been so badly affected it will not be wise to return to work and she has therefore tendered her resignation with immediate effect. We have accepted her resignation with sadness.

"She has asked us to pass on to you all that it has been a privilege to work with such lovely children and with a team of caring, committed teachers and support staff. She will miss them all enormously but is confident that the staff will continue to support the St Joseph’s ethos and to do the very best they can for the children.

"The arrangements for managing the school put in place during her illness, of which you have been informed, will continue and we will provide further information as soon as we can about plans for the future leadership of the school. In the meantime, we send Mrs. Jones our sincere wishes and prayers for her recovery and future well-being."

Year two class teacher Laura Willcox, who has been acting headteacher in Mrs Jones' absence, will carry on in the role until the end of the summer term.

For the next academic year the school will be working more closely with St Edmund's Roman Catholic Primary School in Calne.

Governors have already been working on a plan of action with the Calne school following March's Ofsted inspection when St Joseph's was branded inadequate and put into special measures.