Worried parents are demanding answers after the mystery departure of a primary school headteacher just days after its chair of governors resigned following an emergency meeting with the council.

Council inspectors descended on Garfield Primary School, in Garfield Road, Wimbledon, earlier this week after headteacher Yvonne Norman took sudden "leave of absence for personal reasons."

Parents only found out about her departure on Friday in a letter signed by Rob Gray, who told them he had stepped in as the new chair of governors after Amanda Stuart Fisher decided not to run for re-election.

A source at the school said she actually quit at the end of a meeting of the school’s governors on November 4 attended by Jan Martin, Merton Council's head of education as well as Ms Norman.

The source said council inspectors visited the school on Monday and Tuesday this week and gave it a clean bill of health, although it is not clear exactly what they were tasked with investigating.

Merton Council would not address this point when asked.

Wimbledon Times:

The school in Garfield Road, Wimbledon.

The letter from Mr Gray said: "Yvonne Norman has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons.

"I want to reassure you that, along with the governing body, I am working closely with the education experts at the council to secure some time from an experienced headteacher."

A source said a local headteacher had visited the school this week.

A parent whose child attends the school who did want to be identified said: "Yvonne Norman always appeared to be a very effective person and competent headteacher.

"I am very surprised she has gone so suddenly.

"That is concerning.

"She was kind to my family when we were having trouble and I am very sorry to see her go."

An Ofsted inspection is due to take place at the Garfield Road school imminently.

Its last inspection in 2010 rated the school, which has 316 pupils aged three to 11-years-old, as ‘good,’ which means it is serving its pupils well.

It is a grade below ‘outstanding.’

At the time of the inspection in June 2010, the headteacher was Mary McKenna, with Kevin Magee in the chair of governor’s slot.

The report stated Ms McKenna was highly experienced and was well supported by a skilled governing body to provide clear and effective leadership for the school.

It is not known whether Ms Norman, who has been in the top job since September 2010, has left permanently or temporarily.

She is still listed on the school’s website as the headteacher, with a photograph.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton said: "These are matters for the school governing body and it would not be appropriate for us to comment further."

Ms Stuart Fisher declined to comment when approached by the Wimbledon Guardian.