The chairman of St Ivo’s governing body has announced her resignation.

Sue Campbell has retired from the role at the St Ives School with immediate effect in a statement made today (Friday), while also confirming former headteacher Mark Patterson resigned last month.

She said: “2015 will be my 25th year as a governor and I have been reflecting how best the governing body might take things forward following the resignation of Mr Patterson.

“It has always been my intention to retire after I had served 25 years as a governor and, as the process of appointing a new Head is about to start, I think it is right that a new chairman of the governing body should take over from me to lead this process and be there to support the new

headteacher when she/he takes on the role in September.

“In view of this, I have decided to retire as a governor immediately to allow others to take things forward from here.

“I am very grateful for the massive support I have received from my governor colleagues, senior staff, many parents and others in the past during the very difficult period surrounding Mr Patterson’s departure, but regret that the need to maintain strict confidentiality resulted in concerns being expressed that I have been prevented from sharing.

“I hope, therefore, that my retirement will enable the small group who opposed Mr Patterson’s resignation to work constructively in the best interests of the school and the education future of their children.

“I ask that the leader of the very vocal campaign of opposition will put his full weight behind this.

“It has been a great privilege to have chaired the governing body for the last 15 years during which time I worked alongside three previous headteachers and with a supportive governing body, for the benefit and betterment of the students and parents in our community.”