A HEADTEACHER who became an outspoken critic of the government after multi-million pound improvements to her school were scrapped has stepped down.

Eve Wilson, of Willowfield School in Clifton Avenue, Walthamstow, is retiring from frontline teaching after 39 years to become a consultant.

The school has seen steady improvements during her tenure, despite having to struggle with aging facilities she described as not fit for purpose.

She said: “I am very sad to be leaving the school and the students but it is the right time to go.

“I cannot tell you how much I am going to miss the children.”

The school was due to move to a new building until the government scrapped the Building Schools for the Future programme.

A legal bid by the council has forced the government to reconsider its decision.

And Ms Wilson said the fight for investment remains the school’s biggest challenge.

She added: “It was such a disappointment when the government made that decision.

“And if we as a school have been able to achieve so much with the current state of our buildings, how much more could we achieve if we get the improvements we need?”

Deputy head John Hemmingway will take over the school on a temporary basis.

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