THE principal of Stourport High School is to step down at the end of March due to ill health, it was announced today.

Lorna Deakin was appointed to lead the school in September 2017, but a spokesman said she has been suffering with health problems during recent months.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

The school is part of the Severn Academies Educational Trust and deputy chief executive Jon Sheers said he has been supporting the leadership team as acting principal since earlier this year - a role he will continue to fill.

Trust chief executive Chris King said: “Sadly, Ms Deakin’s condition is not improving as quickly or as well as she had hoped and she feels that she should step away to allow stability in leadership for the benefit of the students and the staff.

“Since her appointment in 2017, she has served the school community well, and leaves it in a position to take planned changes forward at pace, ensuring continued improvement."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Mr King added that the trust, which also includes Baxter College, Stourport Primary, St Bartholomew's CE, Wilden All Saints' CE, Wolverley Sebright, Hartlebury CE and Far Forest Lea Memoria, was working to maintain standards of education during the coronavirus pandemic.

He added: “Students and their parents or carers are being kept informed as the school progresses and we are grateful for their continued support.”