A HEADTEACHER has resigned over concerns about the “broken” education system and a lack of funding.

Jo Kelly, headteacher at Glebe Primary School in Southwick, wrote to the parents to announce her resignation, saying that pressures from testing, curriculum changes, Ofsted and Government cuts have made it “impossibly stressful”.

Ms Kelly said the school will have to make some difficult decisions over the coming years which will have a negative impact on pupils.

She said: “After 15 years in education, I do not feel I can carry on in our broken system.

“I came into this profession to give children the best life chances possible and I do not feel that I am able to do this any longer.

“The high stakes accountability system in place across the country means that we, as a profession, are taking the excitement and creativity out of teaching and learning.

“It is with great pride that I come to school everyday and work with the unique Glebies and I am so sad that I am giving up the career that I loved and have worked so hard for.

“However, I do not think the education system is fit for purpose.

“My role seems to be less about giving children rich and diverse experience and more about making sure they tick all the boxes required for a narrow testing and assessment system.”

Her resignation follows a campaign by parents and children in West Sussex to demand fairer funding for schools in the area.

Hundreds of campaigners marched through Worthing last month to highlight the issue and put pressure on politicians to take action ahead of local elections.

Lisa Scott, from Shoreham, has two children at the school.

She said there is too much stress put on teachers at the moment which is “making their lives a misery” and has a knock-on effect on pupils.

The 38-year-old said: “My eldest is finding it quite stressful with all the exams and SATs preparation he has to do and what is expected of them.

“Couple that with major funding issues – I mean no one is listening to us.

“No one is putting the funds we need out there.

“It is so sad we are losing the headteacher but everything she stands for I agree with.”

Another parent, Louis Keep, 33, from Worthing, said: “Her statement that there are chronic problems in the education system in this country is absolutely spot on.

“If Ms Kelly says the system is flawed and broken I think she must be right.”

Ms Kelly’s resignation will take effect from Friday, August 31.