THE head teacher of Chepstow School Claire Price has stepped down today (Friday 24th August) with immediate effect.

The surprise announcement follows a turbulent few months for the school following strike action by members of the NASUWT who called a one-day strike on 17th April, but called off a second strike later the same month as a “gesture of goodwill” by a teachers’ union.

NASUWT union members went on strike on 17th April to protest over “repeated failure of the governing body to effectively address long-standing issues over the way in which the school is being managed”.

Last year’s Estyn inspection report highlighted four of the five key areas at Chepstow School were ‘adequate but needed improvement’, including improving pupil behaviour, quality of teaching and improving “the quality, distribution and impact of leadership at all levels.”

The school was tasked with drawing up an action plan, showing how it planned to address the recommendations.

According to the report the number of pupils on roll at the school had fallen slightly since the previous inspection to 977 including 220 in the sixth form.

Chair of Governors, Mr Craig Bridgeman issued a statement today saying: “Claire Price, head teacher of Chepstow School has decided to take the opportunity to pursue new and interesting career opportunities at the end of this academic year.

“Over the last five years, she has overseen consistent improvements in the outcomes that pupils have achieved and readied the school for the reform that Welsh Education will face. In particular, the number of children achieving the benchmark of five good GCSEs including English and maths has increased by more than 15 percentage points since her arrival at the school.”

In response, Mrs Price said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Chepstow School. I have been privileged to work with our inspiring students and talented staff team. I am delighted to have been part of a school with young people’s wider achievements at its heart and to be leaving at a time where our exceptional results at Key Stage 4 and 5 put our school in the strongest possible place moving forwards.

“I wish the school all the very best for the future.”

Councillor Richard John, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “I would like to thank Claire for her hard work and contribution to Chepstow School over the past six years. The strong A-level and GCSE results at the school are testament to the efforts of students and teachers over the last two years. I have every confidence that Chepstow School is in a strong position to build on progress under Claire’s leadership.”