Strict “superhead” replaced at failing school

Flickr: Mike_W40

A new head teacher has been appointed at a struggling Croydon primary school after the “superhead” was fired, just two days into the role.

Ros Sandell’s new position at Oval Primary School in East Croydon was confirmed at a council meeting last night. She is replacing Craig Tunstall , the £151,835 headteacher executive of the Gipsy Hill Federation, who was removed after only 48 hours at the school, following complaints from parents and teachers.

The Gipsy Hill Federation took over the running of the school after headteacher Ruth Johnston left the school last Wednesday. The federation is an alliance of three schools, Kingswood, Elm Wood and Paxton Primary Schools, based in Lambeth.

Sandell will continue to run her current school, Fairchildes Primary School in New Addington, as well as running Oval. She will temporarily run the school until the summer.

A council spokesman said: “We remain committed to providing every child at the school with the best possible education and we know that Ms. Sandell shares that commitment.”

While running the school, Tunstall suspended seven pupils for minor offences such as not standing in line and wearing the wrong coat.

Speaking at the full council meeting, Councillor Tim Pollard, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children said: “We are very sorry for any distress caused to parents.”

Both parents and teachers were outraged at Tunstall’s methods and some teachers are said to have threatened resignation if he was not removed.

Sandell is the school’s third head teacher in the past three weeks. The council hopes that she “will bring period of stability moving forward for both the school and the wider community.”

Oval was recently placed on “special measures” after a negative Ofsted report in December.

Tunstall was appointed head following the sudden resignation of former head Ruth Johnston, who left against the wishes of teachers and the board of governors.


One Response

  1. Nigel March 2, 2011

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