THE head teacher of one of Brighton's most troubled schools has taken early retirement.

Libby Coleman was appointed in July, 1994, to turn round Marina High - then called Stanley Deason - on Brighton's Whitehawk estate. Last year, it was revealed that 700-pupil school had more than a quarter of its children away sick or playing truant at any one time. Only one in ten who sat GCSEs passed five or more at higher grades, compared with the national average of more than four in ten. Mrs Coleman, currently off sick, will retire at the end of this term. Denise Stokoe, Brighton and Hove's education director, said: "We support Libby in her decision and wish her well. "We are now working closely with the governors to recruit a new head teacher as soon as possible. "Our priority is to ensure as little disruption as possible and to take firm action so that students receive a sound education."

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