Council defends teacher suspension policy

 

Powys County Council has defended its controversial policy which has seen a spate of suspensions for Welshpool head teachers in recent years.

 

The latest to be affected was Maesydre head teacher Suzanne Foster who was suspended on January 31 following an allegation but has since been allowed back to work after an investigation and will return on Monday.

 

Parents have criticised the policy and it is believed teaching unions and the National of Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have also voiced their concern that Powys County Council is being too gung-ho with its actions.

 

In defence, the Council has this afternoon issued the following statement and pointed out that it is the school governors who carry out suspensions:

 

“The Governing Body's (Powys County Council) decision to suspend was taken upon the recommendation of a multi-disciplinary professional strategy meeting which included the police and social services.

 

“The suspension procedure was in accordance with the Governing Body's Disciplinary Policy which took into account the 2004 Welsh Assembly Government’s guidelines and which was approved in May 2008 by all the teaching unions, including the NAHT.

 

“We are constantly working with the teaching unions to review and amend policies where appropriate.”