A headteacher has resigned suddenly after 11 years.

Chris Van-Bussel has stepped down from his post at Wanstead High School, in Redbridge Lane West, just over a month into the new school year.

In a statement, he said the "time was right" to retire from teaching, but no further details were given.

Governors confirmed the search for a new headteacher will take place in the spring term next year, with Tracy Smith, currently leading Seven Kings High School, taking over as executive headteacher at Wanstead High.

Ms Jane Waters, currently head of secondary at Seven Kings High School, will become associate head, responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.

Mr Van-Bussel, who will step down at half term, took over the school in April 2003, the year after the school was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted, having served as deputy head at Seven Kings.

It improved to ‘satisfactory’ in 2005 and then ‘good’ in 2008, but slipped back to ‘requires improvement’ last year.

In a statement released today, Mr Van-Bussel said: “I have decided that the time is now right for me to retire from teaching.

“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have been headteacher of Wanstead High School and to have worked with so many wonderful young people and staff.

“However, I now wish to offer my services to education in a different capacity and pursue my love of History and Literature in an academic setting.

"I would like to thank you all for the support you have given the school over the years.

“I trust and believe that I leave the school as thriving community which provides a very good all round education for the young people whom it serves.

“The vast majority of young people who leave this school are able to successfully go on to further and higher education and subsequently successful careers."

In a letter to parents, David Thorogood, chair of governors, announced that the leadership team at Seven Kings High School will temporarily take charge.

He said: "May I take this opportunity on behalf of us all, to wish Mr Van-Bussel a very happy retirement and to thank him formally for all that he has achieved at Wanstead over the last eleven years.

"May I thank you for your continuing support and to ask that you join with the School in welcoming Ms Smith and Ms Waters to Wanstead."