THE headteacher of Lifton Primary School — the scene of recent protests by parents — has resigned.

Terry West had been due to be phased back after three months' sick leave — but picketing parents had made it clear they would withdraw their children if he returned.

A joint statement issued last week by the governing body of Lifton School, Devon County Council, the National Association of Head Teachers and Mr West stated he would offer his resignation in principal and would not be returning to the school.

The statement said: 'The decision was taken with a great deal of sadness but in recognition of a wish to ensure the continued provision of effective education to all children at the school.'

Sarah Ramplin, chairperson of the Lifton School Support Group, which had campaigned for the removal of Mr West, said the aim now was to 'build up the reputation of the school'.

'All we want is a decent education for our children. It is a darned good school and the children are back there and happy.'

She said that had the matter not been resolved there would be hardly any children at the school this September.

Parent Judith Edgley, who supported Mr West, said she had 'serious misgivings' about the situation and intends to explore every channel open to get answers to questions concerning his departure.

'I want serious answers to educational policies and I think I must be speaking for a lot of people. This has far reaching implications.'

However, chair of the school governors Mrs Vicky Glen said there had been several governor-parent surgeries since last June to which all parents were invited to air concerns.

She said: 'But there are matters that concern Mr West that must remain confidential to him and his employers.'

Mrs Glen said she was grateful to Mr West for last week's 'constructive meeting'.

'We wish him well in the future and thank him for his years of hard work for the school.'

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said he intends to take up certain matters with the Secretary of State following aspects surrounding the resignation.

'The school has been through a very traumatic year. Now it is time to turn the pages without recrimination to work together for the good of the pupils and the good of the school,' said Mr Burnett, who six weeks ago had been asked to intervene by members of the Lifton School Support Group.

On Friday he met school governors and parents and said everyone sent Mr West their best wishes for the future.

'There is tremendous pressure on headmasters these days — not only are they expected to run a school and cope with large volumes of bureaucracy but they have to teach and do all the other tasks as well.'

Mr Burnett felt such a situation as happened at Lifton put school governors in 'an invidious position'.

'The governors are put in a position where they have to go into purdah because they are acting as employer. They can say very little.

'They should be able to delegate their role as employer and their potential liabilities as employers back to the LEA in certain circumstances.'