The head teacher of Bell Baxter High School in Fife has stepped down from her role, it has been confirmed.
An update issued to parents and carers on Friday morning confirmed Carol Ann Penrose had now resigned, effective from November 11.
The school’s parent council had sought clarification from Fife Council over Ms Penrose’s position at the school in Cupar earlier this week.
Fife head teacher steps down
Confirming her resignation, the update to parents said: “Following an update from the education service, Ms Penrose has submitted her resignation from her post as head teacher of Bell Baxter High School, with effect from November 11 2021.
“Her deep passion for education and commitment to raising standards were clear throughout.
“Ms Penrose spent nine years in leadership roles with the council and worked tirelessly to improve the outcomes for young people.
“We wish her every success in her new endeavours and thank her for the contribution she has made to education in Fife Council.”
Shelagh McLean, head of education and children’s services, said: “Ms Penrose has submitted her resignation from her post as head teacher of Bell Baxter High School, with effect from November 11.”
She added: “The school’s senior leadership team will make sure the school continues to run smoothly for staff and pupils while a recruitment process gets underway.”
A senior council source told The Courier that Ms Penrose’s resignation at this stage in the school year would be considered “unusual”.
Questions raised by Fife head teacher’s unexplained absence
It comes after parents noticed the rector’s usual message was missing from weekly updates issued by the Fife school.
A review of the last two weekly school newsletters seen by The Courier confirmed there was no update from or mention of Ms Penrose.
A spokesperson for Bell Baxter High School Parent Council confirmed it had been contacted by parents and also staff concerned by the unexpected absence of school rector earlier this week.
Ms Penrose was appointed to the top job at Bell Baxter in 2018 after a six-year spell in charge at Lochgelly High School.
Report grades school ‘satisfactory’
An inspection in July 2020, two years into her leadership of the school, graded it satisfactory but found room for improvement.
Inspectors from Education Scotland said pupils, staff and parents had found the pace of change challenging.
It praised Ms Penrose’s leadership but said there had been some issues to the pace of change.
The pace of change set by the head teacher has been required due to the need to improve outcomes for young people
Education Scotland report (2020)
Inspectors said: “The pace of change set by the head teacher has been required due to the need to improve outcomes for young people.
“This, however, has led to a majority of staff and more than a few parents feeling the volume and pace of change has been too fast.
“There is now a need for all staff to work together to more effectively secure much needed improvements.”
Bell Baxter High taking ‘first steps’ towards excellence following inspection report
