Head teacher of Burton Joyce Primary School suspended as school is investigated

THE head teacher at Burton Joyce Primary School has been suspended.

Margaret Gretton's suspension comes at a time when Notts County Council is investigating the way the school is being run.

Allegations made against the school include failing to prevent two Year 4 girls watching adult TV while on a field trip to Skegness.

It has also been claimed important decisions about the school have been taken by governing body committees, but no formal records of these meetings exist.

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Phil Palmer, head teacher at Cropwell Bishop Primary School, will take over as acting head teacher until the investigation is concluded.

The decision to suspend Ms Gretton follows a meeting of the school's governing body on Tuesday night.

One of the governors, Eric Ashworth, who has previously expressed concerns about the school's child protection measures, was at the meeting, but said he was unable to say what was discussed.

He had previously called for Ms Gretton to be suspended during the course of the investigation.

However the county council said the governors had decided to suspend Ms Gretton.

John Slater, the authority's service director for education standards and inclusion, said: "We have been notified that the governing body at Burton Joyce Primary School has chosen to suspend the school's headteacher.

"The council will now continue to work with the school and governors to bring a full and proper investigation to a timely conclusion.

"Mr Palmer will work closely with the governing body, ourselves and all colleagues at the school to maintain the high quality of teaching and learning which are already features of the school.

"The county council will continue to support the school during this period."

The school had applied to the Department for Education for academy status but this has now been put on hold.

News of the investigation has divided parents.

Emma Statham, 26, said: "I believe the right decision has been made in suspending Mrs Gretton. I have been unhappy about the way the school is being run for some time."

Christopher Green, 47, of Main Street, Burton Joyce, took his four children – aged five, eight, nine and ten – out of the school.

He said: "The right decision has been made to suspend the head teacher. I have been of the opinion it should have been done some time ago."

However, a 34-year-old parent, who didn't want to be named, said: "I'm more than happy with the school and I'm disappointed with the news.

"I believe it is a good school that is well run."

The county council was unable to say when the investigation will be completed.