Maesydre’s top Governor quits

Maesydre School is looking for a new Chairman of Governors after Derek Simms’ shock resignation.

Mr Simms has overseen huge improvements at the school as it moved out of ‘special measures’ imposed by Estyn. The school has not issued a statement but vice chairman Brendan McWhinnie confirmed that Mr Simms had stepped down without elaborating, and said it would be discussed at a governors meeting on June 17.

He also confirmed that three governors brought in by Powys County Council to support improvements had also left.

“Mr Simms has overseen the transition of the school, which is no longer in special measures, and he has been working closely with the new head teacher Mr Russell Cadwallader to take things to a new level. It is our aim to make Maesydre a school of excellence.”

Last week, Mr Simms gave evidence at the three-day tribunal hearing for Suzanne Foster, the former head teacher of Maesydre who was sacked after the Estyn report.

Mrs Foster left the school in December 2011 and has appeared before a General Teaching Council of Wales tribunal. She faces being struck off the teaching register but is fighting allegations against her, citing that her position was undermined by staff and governors.

Allegations include: failing to carry out Criminal Records Bureau checks on some staff members; failing to comply with child protection requirements; failing to supply the governing body with sufficient information about policies, standards and performance; failing to inform the governing body about standards of performance and failing to provide effective leadership and management to halt the declining standards at the school.

The hearing has been adjourned.