THE long-serving head of a Gwynedd secondary school has shocked colleagues and parents by leaving his post just a week into the new term.

Tudur Williams, who has been at the helm at Ysgol Ardudwy in Harlech for 28 years, broke the news of his resignation in a letter to governors and parents earlier this week, and left the same day.

In it he said he was sorry he had not had a chance to say goodbye to each of them personally.

The news has left everyone stunned and the governors expect to learn more about the reasons at a special meeting next Wednesday.

In his letter to them Mr Williams said that after discussing it with the chairman Maldwyn Jones he felt the time was right to leave.

In March the school buildings were extensively damaged by Storm Emma, with part of the roof being blown off, and that resulted in some pupils having to be taught in other local buildings and at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor in Dolgellau.

Mr Williams said he had passed the age of retirement but had decided to stay on during the aftermath of the storm and “to oversee the first week of term”.

“Ysgol Ardudwy is a unique school with special pupils and devoted staff,” he said.

Its future was rosy, he continued, with the number of pupils having grown to 320 and further growth predicted.

In the letter dated 10 September he added: “Aled Williams (deputy head) is taking charge from today until the governors take the next step.”

This year’s GCSE and A-level results were considered extremely good, especially in view of the lengthy disruption caused by the storm damage.

Mr Jones said the announcement was not as unexpected as some people might believe and Mr Williams had stayed on to see the school through the difficult period after the storm. He said: “Mr Tudur Williams has been head for some 28 years and during that period he has served the school with great devotion and achieved considerable success. We wish him well in his well-earned retirement.”

But the timing and method of his leaving has left many people baffled.

One parent said the suddenness of the move had prompted various rumours in the area.

“We knew he had reached retirement age but the way this has happened is puzzling,” he said.

A Gwynedd County Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Tudur Williams has resigned from his post as headteacher of Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech. Temporary arrangements are in place for the school leadership and the school’s governing body will meet on Wednesday.”