Mystery surrounds the headteacher of Nonsuch High School's absence from the academy on "indefinite special leave".

Karin Rowsell has been on the leave for more than two weeks, since shortly before the school Easter holidays started.

Deputy headteacher Tracey Hartley refused to comment on whether Mrs Rowsell's absence was for personal or professional reasons.

She said the school would not be making any comment at this point on the absence.

She said the school would be communicating with parents "accordingly" about what had happened.

The school's board of Governors, that oversees the running of the school, is also not commenting on Mrs Rowsell's absence.

Mrs Rowsell has been head of the school since September 2009.

The school, one of the top performing state-funded schools in the country, became an academy in September last year.

Pupils and staff returned to the school from the Easter break this morning.

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