A head teacher has decided with "deep sadness" to step down from her role due to the recurrence of underlying epilepsy.

Angela Scully, boss of Simon Langton Girls' in Canterbury, has been leading the grammar school for three-and-a-half years.

But having been symptom-free for the past decade, Mrs Scully has suffered a recent recurrence of her condition - to the extent of it potentially hampering her leadership ability.

As a result, she has decided with "great regret" to retire as head teacher at the end of December and undergo medical treatment.

"My colleagues and students are aware of the great regret and deep sadness I feel at having come to this decision to retire from the role," she said.

"This is due to the relatively recent recurrence of epilepsy symptoms which had been long in abeyance.

"It has been an enormous privilege and a great honour for me to work with all of our students over the past few years."

Despite stepping down from the role as head, Mrs Scully has accepted a part-time, temporary appointment with the school's pastoral team.

She will also continue to teach her current classes until the end of the academic year in July 2021.

A letter from the head of governors sent to all parents this morning, reads: "Several years ago, Angela was diagnosed with epilepsy.

"While she has remained symptom free for over 10 years, she has suffered a recent recurrence over the last few months.

"After consultation with her doctors, she has decided to undergo treatment. During this process, she feels that she would no longer be able to carry out all of the many functions required of a head teacher to the best of her ability."

A selection process for a new head to take over the reins in September next year will begin shortly.

Current deputy head teacher Paul Pollard will take on the caretaker role from January 1 and remain in the position until a permanent replacement is appointed ahead of the start of term next September.

Of her pupils, Mrs Scully added: "I have a deep pride in their development as resilient, enthusiastic, independent, tolerant young people, willing to be challenged and embrace the many opportunities offered to them, values and qualities so recognisable in Langtonians.

"They have made it very easy for me to be so extremely proud to have been their head teacher, for which I thank them.

"Colleagues and students alike know my immense pride to be associated with our lovely school, to have served as their head teacher and to still be able to remain a part of this wonderful community."

The girls’ school underwent a period of turmoil in 2015 and 2016 after it aborted an attempt to become an academy - provoking an official investigation and the departure of the then head Jane Robinson.

Mrs Scully later stepped into the role and was tasked with restoring the school's reputation.

During her leadership she has overseen the approval, and construction, of the multi-million pound new-build school which is due to open next year.

Praising her interim successor, Mrs Scully says the school will be in safe hands.

She said: "I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Mr Pollard, one of my deputy heads, who has been a huge support and has worked closely with me in developing our vision for the school over the last few years."

Mr Pollard, who will have eight months in the role from January to September, says he is "incredibly proud" to be taking it on.

"Despite the difficulties all schools face at this time, we have so much to look forward to in the coming months with our move into the new school and the opportunities this will bring," he said.

"I only wish that the circumstances could have been different, but knowing that Angela will continue to be a part of our school, and will receive the support and love of the whole community, is not only a consolation but an affirmation of the Langton family we all hold so dear.”

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