THE head teacher of a Kent grammar school has resigned suddenly amid rumours of staff discontent.

Dr Mary Kiely quit her job at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls during the recent half term holiday.

Union officials say staff have expressed worries about the management of the school.

The governors and the Local Education Authority have appointed deputy head John Harrison as head of school for the next academic year.

On Tuesday, Mr Harrison sent a letter to parents informing them of the change, which is said to be down to Dr Kiely’s wish “to work in a more comprehensive system of education”.

But Allan Craig, Kent branch secretary of teacher’s union NASUWT, said he was aware that several members of staff had been unhappy about the school’s management style and that there had been talk about a vote of no confidence.

“There has been some unrest in respect to the management style,” said Mr Craig. “As a result, staff from all unions made a series of complaints.

“I do not know if it came to a vote of no confidence but there was some talk about it.”

It is understood the latest complaint from staff was made in the week before half term. Mr Harrison was apparently called over the half term and asked to take over the reins.

Other sources have told the Kent Messenger that the head had sought to make changes in the school that had not proved popular with staff as they had been deemed too radical.

“It is a very traditional school and staff didn’t take kindly to them,” the source said.

Peter Vokes, Kent representative for the National Union of Teachers, said he had heard rumblings of discontent among staff.

He said: “I had heard that morale was low and people were concerned about the management of the school, but there has been no official union action.”

Dr Kiely became head of the school in January 2003, aged 53. She had previously been deputy head of the Highbury Fields School, North London.

* The new head John Harrison, 39, began his teaching career at Aylesford School, where he stayed six years and became deputy head of the sixth form.

His next post was at Angley School, Cranbrook, where he spent 11 years. He became senior deputy head at Maidstone Grammar School For Girls in January this year.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENT MESSENGER