AN East Lancashire headteacher who is being investigated over bullying allegations is taking early retirement, it has been revealed.

Katrina Ryan, head of Mount Carmel RC High Carmel School, Accrington, will be quitting her post on October 31 due to ill health.

The retirement comes midway through an investigation that was launched following a number of complaints from teaching staff.

The bullying allegations do not involve pupils. Lancashire County Council bosses confirmed the ongoing investigation will end once Katrina Ryan leaves the school.

Following the allegations the board of governors, led by chairman Dennis Ford, launched a probe into the complaints at the 782-pupil school in Wordsworth Road.

Legally anyone over the age of 55 is eligible to access their pension.

Although the county council would not confirm Miss Ryan’s age, a spokesman said she was entitled to take eary retirement.

Mac Harrison, Lancashire secretary for the NASUWT union, said: “Clearly the headteacher has been ill and is finishing at the end of the month but there will need to be closure on any outstanding issues which the school and the local authority will try to facilitate.

“This process and the investigation has been difficult and fraught for those involved and were not engaged in lightly.

“It is important that a line is drawn under events and everybody moves on.”

The school will be led by the acting headteacher Joanne Meredith.

Dennis Ford, chair of governors at Mount Carmel RC High School, said: "I can confirm that Miss Ryan is retiring early on 31 October and that this will bring to an end any internal investigative procedures.

"Our deputy head has agreed to act as headteacher until the due process for recruiting a new head has taken place.

"We are looking to the future with confidence. This year we had our best-ever GCSE results, and were the fourth most-improved school in Lancashire."