PARENTS are backing their headteacher, pushed out after her school failed an Ofsted inspection.

Linda Horsfield's 22 years at Athelney Primary School came to an end when Government inspectors visited last month and put it into special measures.

Special measures are required when a school is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education.

It also means its management team has not demonstrated it can improve the school and as a result Mrs Horsfield was told she would have to leave the 334-pupil school before the half-term break.

But the move sparked outrage among parents, who gathered outside the school in Athelney Street on Friday to pay tribute to Mrs Horsfield, who they say has done a good job as headteacher.

Parent governor Brian Tollom said: "If she can't turn the school around after 22 years who else can?

"She should have been given the opportunity.

"Lewisham education department has torn the heart out of this school."

In a letter to parents, Mrs Horsfield said: "It is no secret I do not want to leave.

"It is going to be an enormous wrench on Friday. I am going to miss you all so much.

"But together with the staff you now need to look to the future for the sake of the children."

Parent Michelle Cordina, 33, of Ravensbourne Road, Bromley, said: "We are livid. How can they remove a teacher and not tell us why?

"The children are going to be deeply affected and the school is going to fall apart."

Another parent, Andrew Miles, said: "We think she's doing a great job. She should have been given the chance to turn it around."

Despite passing an Ofsted inspection in 1999, inspectors criticised the school for failing to identify potential weaknesses early enough.

These weaknesses included lack of guidance for teachers as well as support for high-achieving pupils.

A report to governors last week from Chris Threlfall, the council's head of school effectiveness, stated "the persons responsible for leading the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvements in the school".

Lewisham Council says Mrs Horsfield has not been sacked but confirmed Irene Cleaver, a former acting headteacher from Hither Green Primary, will be taking over after half-term.

A spokesman said: "Continuing the education of the children at Athelney School is our priority.

"We are confident together with the support of parents we will be able to raise standards in the school."