Two York head teachers have left their jobs following a City of York Council inquiry.
YorkMix broke the news last October that Dave Brown, head teacher of Clifton Green Primary School, and Sara Goyea, head teacher of St Paul’s CofE Primary School, were also on long-term leave.
Both teachers were the subject of formal complaints submitted to the council.
Maxine Squire, assistant director of education and skills, told us the council had information on both which was “separately subject to investigation in line with the usual process”.
Today the council confirmed its investigations had concluded, and that both heads had left their respective schools.
Leaving post
The council’s head of secondary and skills, children, education and communities John Thompson said: “The respective chairs of governors from St Paul’s Primary School and Clifton Green Primary School have written to parents confirming that the headteachers of each school have left their posts.
“The acting headteachers for each school will remain in place until the end of the school year and we will continue to support their school leadership teams during this time.”
Acting head at Clifton Green is Nicola Jones, while Christie Waite is acting head at St Paul’s.
John Kesterton, chair of governors at Clifton Green, wrote this to parents:
I am writing to you today to inform you that following a period of time out, Mr Brown will be leaving his post as headteacher of Clifton Green Primary School with immediate effect.
The school continues to be very effectively led by Miss Jones and her team who, with governors and the local authority are planning for the continued growth and success of the school.
Six months of uncertainty
In a letter to St Paul’s parents last month, Tom Keef and Martyn Long, co-chair of governors, wrote: “The school and Mrs Goyea have agreed that Mrs Goyea will not be returning to St Paul’s. We have shared this information with children during the day today. “
“Miss Waite will continue to lead the school for the remainder of the school year.”
They added:
We would like to thank Miss Waite, all staff, and parents for your understanding during the last six months of uncertainty.
Governors will now work hard to put in place permanent leadership for the school.
Mr Brown was head of Clifton Green since 2011. He was previously head of Heworth Primary.
Mrs Goyea was a deputy head at Clifton Green Primary School before taking up the top job at St Paul’s.