红桃影视

The academy sponsor of a school accused of bullying and suspending staff who spoke to Ofsted inspectors during an inspection has demanded an explanation from governors.

All Saints Academy Dunstable in Bedfordshire has been granted permission for a judicial review over a recent 鈥榠nadequate鈥� judgment.

Schools Week reported last week that court from the hearing revealed that the watchdog had received 鈥渃redible intelligence from a whistleblower鈥� that its executive principal 鈥渉ad been bullying staff in relation to the inspection鈥�. 

A former employee separately told Schools Week they were suspended a day after talking to an inspector during the November inspection.

The staff member said the school had told them the suspension was due to information disclosed in feedback parent surveys and because they created a toxic environment in their department 鈥� but said these allegations were later dropped. 

The staff member claimed the suspension was the result of them talking to an inspector, adding 鈥渋t was just too glaringly obvious鈥�.

Academy denies allegations

In a statement this week, the Diocese of St Albans board of education said it had 鈥渞esponded with concern to the allegations that were made public on Friday 15 September regarding All Saints Academy Dunstable鈥�.

The board had contacted the school鈥檚 chair of governors 鈥渟o it can understand the full context of the allegations and to assess the actions which are being taken by the governing body, as responsible body, in response to them鈥�.

However, it added that it did not have 鈥減owers of investigation鈥� into the whistleblowing allegations.

The school鈥檚 chair of governors did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the school denied the claims heard in the court hearing, saying that the 鈥渋ntelligence was not credible and if the allegation is raised in the proceedings this will be formally denied鈥�.

When contacted about the staff member鈥檚 individual claims, the school said: 鈥淲e have made our response and have nothing further to add.鈥�