THE head of Chepstow School, Claire Price, has left the school with immediate effect.

The shock announcement of her departure – which says she is leaving “to pursue new and interesting career opportunities” – came just 24 hours after students picked up their GCSE results.

Ms Price has been school head since 2012, but this year the school has been hit by two strikes by teachers over the style of management.

Chair of governors, Mr Craig Bridgeman, said: “Over the last five years, she has overseen consistent improvements in the outcomes that pupils have achieved and readied the school for the reform that Welsh education will face.

“In particular, the number of children achieving the benchmark of five good GCSEs including English and maths has increased by more than 15 percentage points since her arrival at the school.

“She has also played an important part in the wider education agenda within Monmouthshire and the wider South-east Wales region.

“Monmouthshire County Council has benefited from Claire’s contribution to the leadership of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership.

“Her role in creating, developing and leading the Chepstow cluster alongside her colleagues in the primary sector will ensure that her legacy is a positive one. Thanks to Claire’s leadership, Chepstow School is well-placed to continue to meet the needs of the students in the south east of the county.

“As Claire looks to the future and the new opportunities that she has identified, we thank her for the time, energy and leadership she has demonstrated in Chepstow School.”

Ms Price said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Chepstow School – I have been privileged to work with our inspiring students and talented staff team.

“I am delighted to have been part of a school with young people’s wider achievements at its heart and to be leaving at a time where our exceptional results at Key Stage Four and Five put our school in the strongest possible place moving forwards. I wish the school all the very best for the future.”