A HEADTEACHER whose staff went on strike over her stance on disciplining unruly pupils has quit.

Unions said teachers were ‘absolutely delighted’ that suspended Darwen Vale High School headteacher Hilary Torpey had resigned.

She had been suspended on full pay since May after an investigation was launched into claims that she failed to provide support and undermined staff when they dealt with badly-behaved pupils.

NASUWT national executive John Girdley had previously accused Mrs Torpey of being ‘too soft on pupils and too hard on staff’ and had ‘reduced some staff to tears’.

Tension and frustration mounted and staff staged a one-day protest strike in April, after unions were drafted in to tackle the problem.

But, despite the turbulent period, pupils produced the school’s best GCSE results under the leadership of interim headteacher John Lawson and interim associate headteacher Jean McGrath, who were drafted in.

They will remain at the Holden Fold site and have vowed to continue to raise standards at the school until a new head is appointed.

The school has already advertised the post and bosses have stipulated they are looking for an ‘exceptional candidate’ and a ‘bold leader with drive and commitment’.

In a statement to the Lancashire Telegraph, Mrs Torpey said she hoped she could continue her career in teaching.

Chair of governors Don Heatlie-Jackson said interviews will take place at the end of the month.

But until then Mr Lawson and Mrs McGrath will remain in charge of the school.

NASUWT national executive John Girdley said: “We are delighted at the outcome.

"It is the best thing that could have happened for the school.

"The school can now get a new headteacher and move forward.

“It can have a fresh start.

“The staff involved will be absolutely delighted.

“It is a fabulous victory for the NASUWT and the NUT and it sends out a strong message to other schools.”

Mrs Torpey said: “Regrettably recent circumstances make it impossible for me to continue my work at Darwen Vale.

“I now intend to continue my career in education elsewhere.

"Contrary to misleading statements in the media I did not introduce a new behaviour policy but worked within the policy I inherited from my predecessor.

“I am grateful to the pupils and parents for their support during my tenure as headteacher, and wish the school well for the future."

Mrs Torpey’s resignation was effective from the end of the school year.

And the governors and Blackburn with Darwen Council yesterday thanked Mrs Torpey for the work she had done at the school.

Mr Heatlie-Jackson said: “Firstly, at the end of a challenging year, the pupils and staff have achieved the best examination results in the history of the school, with 57 per cent of pupils achieving at least five higher level passes including English and Maths, up from 54 per cent in 2010.

“The overall higher level pass rate at Darwen Vale this year was 85 per cent against a national figure of 69 per cent.

“Secondly, following the recent resignation of Mrs Hilary Torpey, the governing body can inform you that national advertisements have been placed in our search for a new headteacher to take up post in January 2012.

“Interviews will take place before the end of this month.”

National Union of Teachers executive member and Blackburn with Darwen representative Simon Jones said: “It is good news for the school and will perhaps bring about the closure of this unfortunate case.

“Hopefully the school and staff can move on. The school is already moving on and that will now continue.”

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for children’s services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It has been an extremely difficult time for pupils and I have been really impressed.

"The exams have gone up this year.

“The children were the victims in this as the dispute was about how the codes were being interpreted.

"These pupils are no different to children in other schools.

“Governors want to go ahead with another appointment as quickly as possible.

“It has been a difficult time for the school.”