Shock departure of Willenhall headteacher due to 'personal reasons'

Peter Mayland left St Thomas More Catholic School in Willenhall last week. His letter of resignation said he was going for 'personal reasons'. The school has declined to comment further.

Deputy headteacher Dr Sarah Hatfield has taken over the running of the school, which serves families across Walsall and Wolverhampton, until a replacement is appointed.

Walsall Council leader Sean Coughlan, who also represents the ward, said Mr Mayland had been doing well.

"He always came across as a very committed headteacher who wanted the best for the school and students which is what we all want to see," he said.

"I have a nephew in the Lower Sixth Form and was there just before Christmas for an awards ceremony. I've been really impressed with the way the school has improved over the years. I had a really good relationship with the previous headteacher before Mr Mayland and they both seemed to be delivering a fantastic service for pupils.

"I am surprised and disappointed that he has resigned.

"My nephew has spent all of his secondary schooling there and he has done really well. The school have been very supportive."

Fellow ward councillor James Douglas said the timing of the resignation was unfortunate.

"It has placed the school in difficult circumstances because it is particularly difficult to recruit good headteachers," he said.

"A headteacher should be like a good head of business, and we want the best head teacher for St Thomas More.

"The previous head, Mr Flynn had provided an excellent standard of education for young people. "

The school, in Darlaston Lane, has been a Business and Enterprise College since 2003 when it moved to its present site. It was built under a PFI scheme.

Its latest Ofsted report, dated January 2014, rated the school as requiring improvement. It said the new headteacher was 'driving changes in the school to further promote positive attitudes.'