Simon Marks Primary head Nicole Delamere has resigned. In a letter sent this week, parents of pupils at the Hackney school were informed that she had quit after just a year in charge to “pursue her career in education in a different setting”.

When the head did not return after half term, the school originally claimed she was on “sick leave”.

Deputy head Norma Blair-Clayden has taken over as acting head. Parents have also been notified that year five teacher Rohan Plunkett will be leaving in December.

Governors’ chair Howard Pallis thanked Mrs Delamere “for her work with the school and wish her all the best for the future. Simon Marks is a beacon of educational excellence.”