THE HEADTEACHER of an all-boys school in Winnersh has announced she plans to step down later this year, citing the 'bleak' financial constraints put on the school.

Mary Sandell, 59, issued a statement to parents of pupils from The Forest School on Monday (February 20) where she explained she would be standing aside due to cuts and the stress of her role.

After joining the Robinhood Lane school in September 2014, Mary reached breaking point with the latest installment of cutbacks after it was announced Forest School would lose £267,000 by 2020.

She wrote: "The situation with regard to schools funding, both nationally and locally, is bleak.

"I did not enter the teaching profession to make cuts that narrow the curriculum, or to reduce the number of teachers and increase class sizes, and yet my hand has been forced, and I see no immediate easing of the situation.

"In addition, there is an acute teacher shortage, which is really beginning to bite.

"Consequently, I feel unable to deliver the quality of education the boys at The Forest so clearly deserve."

It was announced last month schools across Wokingham Borough would be losing £6.5 million by 2020, with Forest losing the equivalent of £279 per pupil, enough to pay for seven teachers.

Mary will have completed nearly 30 years in education by the time her resignation takes effect in August, but she is determined to work hard for the secondary school before moving on from her role.

She added: "I will continue to work tirelessly for the pupils’ benefit in general, and towards a positive outcome from the OFSTED monitoring visit in particular.

"My main regret will be leaving the pupils here: they are such characters….funny, bright, talented, frequently bonkers and, for the most part, an absolute delight to work with!"

Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, executive member for children’s services, added: "Mary Sandell took on the leadership of The Forest School at a time of national challenges.

"We are grateful to her and all our headteachers for the sterling work they do for our children and young people, with the difficulties and opportunities that we have in Wokingham Borough.

"This is a long term debate for us and we are committed to stay with it for foreseeable future in order to support all of our schools.

"Average funding per pupil in 2017/18 will not be notably different from 2015/16, with the actual amount moving up to £4,152.

"This should not adversely affect school staffing levels over the next year. However, we know there are pressures on schools’ costs everywhere."