Head teacher resigns after financial investigation

THE head teacher of a Nottingham secondary school has resigned following an investigation into its finances.

Max Kay, head teacher of Bluecoat School and Technology College, with sites in Aspley and Wollaton, was investigated for three allegations.

The People's Resolution Group – a company paid by the school to investigate Mr Kay – looked at allegations of falsifying invoices for works at the school, breaching financial procedures and asking for donations from contractors in return for contracts at the school.

Mr Kay has been suspended for 15 months since the probe started.

It follows the dismissal of senior site manager Kevin Darby for gross misconduct after he allegedly spoke to the press about the investigation.

Mr Darby denies any disclosure or wrongdoing but was judged to have committed misconduct in relation to the three allegations Mr Kay was also being investigated for.

Chair of governors at Bluecoat School, Ronnie Ogier, was unavailable for comment and no details of a disciplinary panel's findings in relation to Mr Kay have been disclosed.

The dismissal letter sent to Mr Darby has been seen by The Evening Post detailing the reasons for his sacking.

A statement was issued at 2.30pm today on behalf of Nottingham Bluecoat School and the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.

Diocesan director of education, The Revd Dr Howard Worsley, said: "After 15 months of suspension, the head teacher, Max Kay, has resigned.

"The Board of Education for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham has maintained close links with the governing body of Nottingham Bluecoat School as well as Nottingham City Local Authority during the period in which investigations have been carried out at the school.

"The governing body has immediately consulted the diocese and proceeded to move towards the appointment of a new head teacher.

"After the transition period in which the acting head teacher, Sian Hampton, has ably led the school, we are looking forward to a new era in which Nottingham Bluecoat School again emerges as a beacon of Christian education within the city of Nottingham."

The investigation by The People's Resolution Group follows other probes after allegations were made by Mr Darby in 2006 in relation to practices at the school.

Separately, a council investigation was conducted after a loan to the school of more than £2m after it went over budget because of building at Bluecoat's Wollaton Park site.