A headteacher has resigned after a worrying Ofsted report gave it one of the lowest ratings amid ongoing concerns about a bullying culture at the school.

The Weald of Kent Grammar School in Tonbridge has confirmed Elizabeth Bone has stepped down from her position.

The resignation comes as new pupils and existing students return to school from the summer break.

Senior deputy head, Sophie Clark, became acting head in July, taking over temporarily from Mrs Bone.

At the time, a message from the chairman of the school governors, Antonia Rubin, said the head was "currently not in school".

Mrs Rubin said her intention was not to come across as vague, but that her first priority was to ensure the continued smooth running of the school.

A spokesman from the grammar school today said: "The trustees confirm that Mrs Bone has resigned from her role as headteacher at the Weald of Kent School.

"They can also confirm that Mrs Clark remains as acting head while trustees commence the recruitment process for a permanent headteacher.

"Mrs Clark is working very closely with trustees and the rest of the senior leadership team to ensure there is continuing robust leadership during the period."

In July, Ofsted released a report after inspecting the school for the first time since it became an academy in February 2011.

It downgraded the previously rated Outstanding school to Requires Improvement.

Ofsted detailed that a "significant number" of students were concerned about bullying at the school and the inspectors said: "Many pupils do not feel able to talk to adults in school about their worries."

The report came 11 months after 16-year-old student Taliyah Dahdi, from Hildenborough, took her own life.

At her inquest, the coroner heard she had suffered social isolation and bullying at the grammar.

Ofsted also said the the school leaders’ approach to tackling bullying "was not sufficiently strategic or urgent".