Parents in Audlem are in shock after a headteacher was told to stay at home while governors investigate a complaint made against her.
Catherine Nolan-Burnitt has been temporarily replaced as headteacher of Audlem St James Primary School while governors examine the complaint by a parent about the way their child’s education was being assessed.
Around 90 parents attended a meeting at the Heathfield Road school earlier this month where the findings of a general review of teaching and learning were revealed.
It judged the school to be satisfactory for its quality, leadership and management of teaching and learning but only average for pupils’ achievement.
Mrs Nolan-Burnitt, who declined to comment, has been replaced by deputy headteacher Bruce Wilken while the investigation continues.
Sevi Gultekin, whose son attends the school, said: “It’s a surprise that this is happening because I can’t say enough good things about my son’s teacher and every time I’ve been to the school, it’s been brilliant.
“So when I heard about this, I was shocked because I’m very happy with the school but where there’s children involved, you’d like everything to be good.”
Another parent, who asked not to be named, said: “My children both went through the current school system under the same headteacher and we were immensely satisfied with how things were then.
“Mrs Nolan-Burnitt worked damn hard and she knew the children inside out and back-to-front.
“We find it quite surprising because every school has been through this and only two or three years ago, parents were queuing up and appealing to get into the school.”
In a letter sent to around 200 parents, chairman of governors Peter Ellis said: “Parents attended an open meeting where governors briefed them on the issues surrounding complaints received from several parents concerning the quality of some pupil assessments and teaching.
“At the meeting, governors explained that they had commissioned a review of teaching, learning and its management by an independent consultant who is also an Ofsted inspector.
“Governors also received a related but separate complaint concerning the assessment of a child and the communication of information about that assessment to the parents concerned.
“Governors are still considering this report and until this is concluded, Mrs Nolan-Burnitt will not be in school.”
By Winston Brown
