MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE: ‘Inspirational’ school leader brought in after Robin Hood Primary head suspended

An ‘inspirational’ school leader who received a Pride of Britain Award has been put in charge at a Mansfield Woodhouse school where the headteacher was suspended from duty yesterday (13th November).

Last night, Chad revealed that Nottinghamshire County Council had suspended Julie Rowbottom, headteacher at Robin Hood Primary and Nursery School, in Oxclose Lane, following an undisclosed incident at the school.

A letter to parents from governor Pauline Witham confirms a ‘temporary management change at the school’, but did not state why the suspension has taken place.

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“Mrs Rowbottom has been suspended from her post pending an investigation into a matter at the school,” the letter states.

“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.”

The letter also states that Sharon Gray, headteacher at Netherfield Primary School, in Carlton, had been brought in as executive headteacher - an appointment which the county council today confirmed.

Ms Gray was awarded Teacher of the Year at this year’s Pride of Britain Awards for her “awe-inspiring flair and inventiveness” for turning around the struggling Netherfield primary and securing it an ‘outstanding’ rating from school inspectors Ofsted.

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John Slater, service director for educations standards and inclusion at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “The headteacher of Robin Hood Primary School has been suspended from her post while an investigation takes place into an incident which occurred at the school.

“As an investigation is on-going, it would not be appropriate to make any further comments.

“Sharon Gray has been appointed as executive headteacher during the investigation, to ensure continued management and that the children’s education is not affected.

“Ms Gray was recently voted Teacher of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards. Her own school, Netherfield Primary School, has been judged as outstanding by Ofsted.”

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The nature of the incident involving Mrs Rowbottom has not been confirmed by the county council and a recent Ofsted inspection at the Oxclose Lane school rated it as satisfactory.

The report, which was published last year, also praised Mrs Rowbottom’s leadership - stating: “The hardworking headteacher has built a team whose dedication never falters.”

Mansfield Woodhouse district and county councillor Joyce Bosnjak said: “The county council will clearly be supporting the school with any action they might need to take.

“What is important to me is that the children are not adversely affected in any way.”

PICTURED: Julie Rowbottom (right) with Mansfield Woodhouse councillor Joyce Bosnjak.