THE headteacher of Elbury Mount Primary has resigned after hearing her school is to be shut down and re-opened with a new board of governors.

Kay Morgan handed a letter of resignation to the LEA after a two-hour crisis meeting with her union representative and director of education, Julien Kramer, yesterday.

The move came after a five-year stint as headteacher, during which time the Fairfield Close school was placed in both serious weaknesses and special measures.

Mr Kramer, who asked Miss Morgan to "consider her position" during the meeting, said the LEA's bid for a fresh start was for the best.

"I very much regret that this proved necessary and the meeting was held more in sorrow than anger," he said.

"But I think this outcome is best for the children, the staff and for Kay."

Reg Moore, a junior school head from Rubery, and Julia Rogula, from Pitmaston Primary, in Malvern Road, St John's, Worcester, will now run the school until a permanent headteacher is appointed.

"I believe it's in everybody's interest, particularly the educational interest of the pupils at the school, that I resign my post with immediate effect," said Miss Morgan in her resignation letter.

"I hope I can be of further assistance to the authority in the future and regret very much the circumstances which have led to this decision."

However, the governors, who are meeting this weekend to decide their future, rallied around her, hailing the work Miss Morgan has done for the Brickfields school.

"We are very sad indeed because we consider that she has done a great job for the school, the parents and the children," said Ted Duckett, the school's chairman of governors.

"We go along with the LEA's principle of a fresh start but we wanted to make sure we have tried every option first."

Philip Hytch, who was chairman of the board of governors for more than a decade until last summer, said she had made the best of a difficult job.

"The school worked extremely hard under the committed leadership of Kay Morgan," he said.