´WALL OF SILENCE´ ACCUSATION OVER SUSPENSION OF HEAD
EDUCATION chiefs say a decision on the future of a suspended headteacher will be made ‘shortly’. It comes as a parent at the school involved accused the local authority of putting up a ‘wall of silence’. Dave Griggs, headteacher at Maesydre Primary School in Howell Drive, Welshpool, has been suspended from his post since September while a full investigation is carried out.But this week, a Powys County Council spokesman confirmed: ‘A full investigation is currently taking place and is nearing completion. We expect the matter to be progressed shortly.’When pressed about the expected timescale, the spokesman refused to be drawn, adding: ‘No further comment will be made until the investigation has been completed.’ The comments come amid growing concern about the length of time the investigation is taking.One parent Angela Quinn, of Llangynyw (pictured) told the County Times: ‘I am appalled at the continuing situation at Ysgol Maesydre which is still without its headteacher and still without any explanation or information whatsoever. ‘In a culture where we hear about choice and freedom of information I find it astounding that such a situation can arise. ‘It has now been over six months since Mr Griggs was suspended and I simply think that its disgraceful that it is taking so long to be resolved.‘What really annoys me, and I am sure others, is the wall of silence we have come up against. I don’t want the details of the case. ‘All I’m asking the council for is acknowledgement that will either restore my child’s headteacher or explain to me why this is not happening. What I am asking for is a little more than common courtesy.’ The news comes in the same week council chiefs were criticised at a tribunal for the way it carried out an investigation into allegations against a Presteigne teacher. The teacher won £22,000 compensation for being unfairly dismissed following sexual allegations by two girls. Powys County Council admitted errors crept into the investigations being carried out and the subsequent disciplinary procedures in this particular case which consequently rendered the applicant’s dismissal unfair.
