Fears for the education of Deal’s youngsters have escalated after the head teacher of Castle Community College, Philip Bunn, made a shock departure during the Easter holidays.

The news comes weeks after the school had its first Ofsted inspection, sparking unconfirmed rumours that Castle could be going into special measures.

Now the town’s only secondary school is being run by an education management organisation called SchoolsCompany Ltd, and a meeting has been called for parents tonight (Thursday) at 6pm.

A statement from the chairman of the governors, Sylvia Jones, said: “The reasons for Mr Bunn’s departure are confidential and we will be making no further comment about them.

“We can confirm that there are no disciplinary or safeguarding issues involved in his departure.”

The notice was released to parents and the Mercury on Tuesday, at the end of the first day of the new term.

For the full story, the reaction, and details of who is running the school, see The Mercury.