A HEADTEACHER has left a primary school beset with management problems.

Durham County Council said Lesley Farnaby has “retired from her position” at Sacriston Primary School, near Chester-le-Street.

Earlier this year, education chiefs scrapped the governing body over concerns at the way the school, which caters for youngsters aged three to 11, was being run.

Regional Schools Commissioner for North of England Janet Renou replaced the governors with an interim executive body, but Miss Farnaby remained in place.

The council has now confirmed she is no longer in post.

Caroline O’Neill, the authority’s head of education, said: “We can confirm that the headteacher of Sacriston Primary School has retired from her position.

“We continue to work with the Interim Executive Board (IEB), which has asked for support to provide leadership from experienced practitioners in the short term.

“We have agreed to this request and plans are in hand to make arrangements.

“Members of the IEB are also looking to appoint a new headteacher to join the staff at Sacriston Primary School as soon as possible and they will endeavour to keep parents updated with progress made.”

Sacriston Primary School was formed in September 2014, with the merger of Sacriston Nursery and Infant School and Sacriston Junior School, which shared a site on Witton Road.

Last January, the school faced accusations of poor management and unruly behaviour by pupils.

Former staff members said they believed children had been let down and it was said 17 people had left their post within a year.

Ten years ago, Sacriston Infants School was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors following a visit.

In 2011, the adjacent junior school, led by Pauline Warren was deemed to be ‘satisfactory’.

Ms Farnaby became the head of both schools after Mrs Warren left in 2012 and the primary school was formed two year later.

Kevan Jones MP has previously said the county council should have done more to support staff following the merger.

The local authority is now taking steps to secure an experienced head teacher to take over the school until a permanent replacement can be recruited.

The school has had a senior leader from the local authority with headship experience or a Durham head teacher in place each day this week.