The former head teacher of a struggling Etwall school has now resigned, it has been confirmed after he was suspended from duty last month.

The interim academy board, which was brought in to help head Chris Sainsbury last September following the resignation of half of the governing body and poor exam results at John Port School, has now issued a statement confirming the situation.

It also said that "no disciplinary action has been brought against Mr Sainsbury" following an investigation and that he will officially step down from his post from August 31.

Parents will be receiving a letter which explains that Phil Smith, who has been standing in for Mr Sainsbury for the past month, will be moving on to a headship at another school, which he applied for before the current situation arose.

Sir Barry Day is chairman of the interim academy board at John Port School.

Last month Sir Barry Day, pictured, chairman of the school's academy board, said that John Port School – which is the largest secondary school in Derbyshire with more than 2,000 members - would be linking up with the Spencer Academies Trust, based in Stapleford, to provide additional help to the school.

He said: "That partnership with the Spencer Academies Trust became effective from July 1 and it includes a successful head teacher, Karen Squire, who has already brought two schools out of special measures. She will take over as acting head teacher on September 1.

"Mrs Squire will write to you all herself in the near future to inform you of future plans.

"We believe we are now in the best situation possible for a positive and fresh start back in September."

The George Spencer Academy Trust has 10 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire schools as members.

It is not yet been released who might take over as John Port's next head teacher.