MOUNTING pressures of funding cuts led to the resignation of a headteacher.

Mary Sandell, who was headteacher of The Forest School, Winnersh stepped down from her position on Monday, February 18 due to the sheer amount of cuts the school was facing.

In a statement released to parents and students two days ago, she said at 59 she felt she was 'far too old for the high level stress' involved in running the school in today's economic climate.

“I would like to be able to say that I am taking early retirement, but that simply isn't true,” her statement read.

“The situation with regard to schools funding, both nationally and locally, is bleak: in common with other headteachers.

“I did not enter the teaching profession to make cuts that narrow the curriculum, or to reduce the number of teachers and increase the class size 

"And yet my hand has been forced and I see no immediate easing of the situation.

“Consequently, I feel unable to deliver the quality of education the boys at The Forest so clearly deserve.”

It comes after Wokingham MP John Redwood visited the school on January 20 to discuss some of the concerns she was having.

He said: “I have campaigned for fairer funding for Wokingham schools, which the government has promised for next year.

“I have urged them to be more generous than the current indicative sums, I also talked to the headteacher about options the school has to assist with its budget issues.”

Members of the public took to social media to express their feelings at the news.

One said: “Education system funding is approaching a full blown crisis. This is just the start.”

Mary finished her letter by saying her main regret will be leaving the 'talented, bright, funny and frequently bonkers pupils'.

“I will never forget them,” she wrote. “And will continue to do what I can from the sidelines to secure more appropriate levels of funding.”