A TEACHERS’ union has hit out at Powys County Council (PCC) over its handling of the suspension of a primary school headteacher.
Suzanne Foster, headteacher at Maesydre Primary School, Welshpool, was suspended pending an investigation last week.
However, a representative from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has launched a stinging attack on the council’s handling of the issue, accusing it of ‘overstepping the mark’.
Annie Hovey, NAHT regional officer for Wales, said: “The issue I am concerned with is the process by which she has been suspended. It does not conform to an appropriate process because it does not reflect the guidance from the Welsh Assembly Government.
“If allegations are made often suspension is necessary but I would take issue when the person is not represented and it is the council’s human resources which carries out the suspension when it does not have the power to do so.
“The governing body only should exercise that power. Although she was present at the meeting she was not part of it and the letter of suspension is from the council’s human resources department.”
Mrs Hovey said the council had not provided an opportunity for Mrs Foster to be represented at the meeting when she was suspended.
She also said the council should have held a meeting with Mrs Foster to investigate the allegation and decide if suspension was the most appropriate way forward.
She said: “The council has overstepped its responsibility. Most authorities in Wales will alert us to a member so we can set up a meeting, represent them, and look at alternatives and there’s an opportunity for them to have someone with them. In this case there was not and we do not regard this as appropriate.
“Suspension is necessary sometimes and I do know of cases where it is the appropriate thing to do and I fully accept that but I think in circumstances such as these, to my mind it should only be a last resort and it could not have been a last resort if alternatives were not explored with us and the person concerned.”
Mr Hovey said she is confident that the matter will soon be concluded and that Mrs Foster will be allowed to resume working.
She said: “We are hopeful that the matter will be resolved shortly and she will be back at school shortly.”
A spokesman for Powys County Council said that its investigation had been carried out with ‘agreed procedures’ .