Academy head quits over Michael Gove threat to school

One of Britain's top headteachers has walked away from a six-figure salary at a new London city academy amid concerns the school will be hit by government education cuts.

Sylvia Jones was hired to start at the University College London Academy in Swiss Cottage in September but the £30million project is now "under review". Despite agreeing in March to become the academy's principal, calling it a "once in a lifetime opportunity", Mrs Jones will stay at the comprehensive Valentines High School in Gants Hill.

Mrs Jones has not commented publicly on her reasons for pulling out but sources suggested she feared being left jobless if the scheme was axed by Education Secretary Michael Gove.

UCL said it was not looking for a replacement to lead Camden's first academy. Professor Michael Worton, the Vice-Provost of UCL who ran the university's sponsorship bid, said: "We regret that she has been put in this situation but we understand that she has a responsibility to her family."

The academy was given the go-ahead after five years of wrangling and two judicial reviews - but that now hangs in the balance pending Mr Gove's review.