Chair of governors quits

A message to parents on the Robin Hood Primary and Nursery School’s website states that Pauline Witham has resigned from her role, following the suspension of headteacher Julie Rowbottom in November.

Nottinghamshire County Council declined to comment on the reasons for Mrs Witham’s departure and confirmed that an investigation into Mrs Rowbottom was still ongoing.

At the time, Chad reported that the county council had suspended Mrs Rowbottom from the Oxclose Lane school following an undisclosed incident.

Details of the incident have not been confirmed, which led to parents at the school calling for more openness from the authority.

A letter written by Mrs Witham at the time of the suspension stated: “I am afraid I am unable to provide any further details to parents and I would ask that you do not approach staff or governors for any further information.”

Following the suspension, the county council brought in Nottinghamshire superhead and Pride of Britain winner Sharon Gray, headteacher at Netherfield Primary School, in Carlton, to temporarily take charge as executive headteacher.

The school website states that Ms Gray remains at the school for two days per week, while acting headteacher Nadeem Shah has been put in day-to-day control.

Robin Hood Primary’s deputy headteacher is currently based at Netherfield Primary, for ‘professional development’.

It is not known when the investigation into Mrs Rowbottom will be concluded, and the county council failed to provide a timescale for the investigation when asked by Chad.

An authority spokesman said: “As an investigation is on-going, it would not be appropriate to make any further comments.”