PARENTS and pupils made a show of support for the former headteacher of a Malvern Link primary school, who resigned after a damning Ofsted report.

St Matthias CE Primary, Cromwell Road, was described as being in “rapid decline” and placed on special measures.

The report blamed the leadership and management of the school as being responsible for the inadequate level of education it offered to pupils.

Banners and posters in support of headteacher Jennifer Ahern were unfurled at the school gates on Monday, after her departure was announced.

Lena Jones, whose seven-year-old son Ben goes to the school, said: “She’s absolutely brilliant and should still be here. She was not only a headmistress but a friend.”

Mrs Adams said pupils had been left in tears following news of Mrs Ahern’s resignation.

Speaking after the meeting, and having seen the Ofsted report, Mrs Adams said the former head still had support from parents but that some now felt she had made the right decision.

“She was a good teacher and was very good to my daughters,” she said. “If it’s her fault then fine, but that does not change my opinion of her.”

Reporting inspector David Driscoll visited the school in January. His report said: “Rapidly falling standards and the increasing concerns of parents demonstrate that the school’s leaders and managers do not have the capacity to reverse the school’s decline.”

It also notes that, following some delay, governors were now taking strong action to address the situation.

County council spokeswoman Sanina Kaur said an interim head had been put in place and the council would now be working to find a permanent replacement.