The head teacher of a Brighton primary school has left her post after serious accusations were made about the way that the school was being run.
Suzanne Morgan has left Saltdean Primary School, having been “signed off work due to ill health early in the summer term”.
She earned praise from a former Schools Minister four years ago for the progress being made by pupils from the age of 7 to 11.
David Laws, who was a minister in the coalition government at the time, said that the school was ranked among the top 250 primaries in the country for progress from key stage 1 to key stage 2 – the junior school years.
And the schools watchdog Ofsted rated Saltdean Primary, in Chiltington Way, as good when it was last inspected four years ago.
For now, Natalie Burley is acting head teacher, with Natalie Miller and Katy Reeve as her acting deputy heads.
News of the head’s departure was confirmed when the chair of governors Joe Paxton wrote to parents today (Tuesday 25 September).
He said: “As you are aware, Mrs Morgan was signed off work due to ill health early in the summer term and has been absent from school since then.
“We can now confirm that Mrs Morgan has now left the school’s employment.
“We also need to inform you that serious accusations were made during the last academic year concerning aspects of the school’s operation.
“The governing body has considered the evidence that has been presented to it and has taken appropriate action to ensure the continuing success of the school.
“We would like to reassure our school community that the accusations that have been made are not around child safeguarding issues and that no member of the school community has been put at risk of harm.
“For legal reasons the school is unable to comment further at this stage.
“However, we will make a full disclosure about the situation as soon as we are able to do so.
“We would like to apologise for the uncertainty that our level of communication on this matter may have caused.
“However, processes and procedures have, and continue to, dictate what we are able to say.
“All questions should be directed to the chair of governors via the school inquiries email.
“Mrs Burley has done a fantastic job acting as acting head teacher in Mrs Morgan’s absence.
“I am delighted to be able to tell you that Mrs Burley has agreed to continue in her role as acting head teacher.
“We would also like to thank Ms Miller and Mrs Reeve who have agreed to take up the acting deputy head position.
“This will allow for the high standards of the school to be maintained until permanent arrangements can be made.”
