Governors at the failing Westwood Girls College have been removed and the head teacher has quit.

Margaret Hedley decided she would no longer carry in her post at the same time as Croydon Council announced the entire board of governors is to be axed.

The council has asked the Secretary of State for permission to replace the school’s entire governing body with an interim executive board after an investigation uncovered massive failings at the school.

Once permission has been granted the new board will be put into place to undertake major, council-led changes at the school.

Earlier this month the school was saved from closure after a u-turn by the council over plans to close four schools in the borough.

A public outcry and a campaign by parents and pupils at Addington High, backed by Conservative MP for Croydon Central Andrew Pelling, forced the council to rethink their proposals.

Labour leader Tony Newman said: “For the sake of the children's education at Westwood, I urge the council not to repeat the mistakes made at Selsdon High when a raft of Tory councillors were appointed to the governing body there following yet another crisis in one of Croydon's schools earlier this year.

“Instead there must be local people appointed to any interim governing body and an end to political interference,” he said.

Dave Hill, executive director for children, young people and learners, said: “Following an independent investigation into various concerns at Westwood Girls College for Language and Art, we believed it was necessary to take swift action to strengthen the governance at the school.

“Westwood is entering an exciting phase in its development as it moves towards becoming a national challenge trust school.

“Under the new interim executive board, and the experienced executive headship of Colette Singleton, I am confident that the school will thrive.”