The head teacher of a Winchester

primary school has resigned because of ill-health.

Marjorie Dean spent seven years as head of St Peter's RC Primary School, Oliver's Battery, but was on sick leave for the last six months.

Parents were informed in a letter sent home with pupils on Monday. In it, chairman of governors, Clare McKenna, paid tribute to Mrs Dean, a mother of four boys, for her "dedicated, visionary and highly-effective leadership."

She added: "Mrs Dean wrote to me to say that she had found it very difficult to make this decision, but recognised that she had to put her health and family first. We are very sad to lose such a dedicated and talented head.

She told the Chronicle that Mrs Dean had arrived at St Peter's at a difficult time following a poor Ofsted report, but helped turn the parish school around. The latest Ofsted report was glowing.

Staff and governors are planning a thanksgiving mass, followed by a reception to mark Mrs Dean's service to the school. Cath Howells, a senior teacher, was acting head during Mrs Dean's absence, as deputy head, Claire Logan, was on maternity leave.

Mrs Logan has now decided not to return to work after the birth of her son. Governors are recruiting both a head and deputy head.