Missing head teacher returns

Teachers are worried about school inspections

A head teacher who ran away because of the stress of an impending school inspection is back with his family.

Michael Ironmonger disappeared on his way to work at Norton Thorpe School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

But he contacted his family from Cumbria and is now at home in Ashton-under-Lyme, Greater Manchester.

The 46-year-old father-of-two had been awaiting a visit by Ofsted inspectors to the school, which caters for around 70 children with learning difficulties.

Safe and well

However, instead of making the 25-mile journey to school on Monday, Mr Ironmonger carried on for almost 100 miles to Cumbria.

He contacted his family after wife Leslie made a plea for his return and police launched a manhunt.

Mrs Ironmonger said: "We will have been married for 21 years this Easter and Mick is a real family man.

"He enjoys his job and finds it a challenge, but we are home birds at heart and enjoy spending all our time with each other and the children."

Mrs Ironmonger added that the stress of the inspection was the reason her husband had given for his disappearance.

Mr Ironmonger was brought in to Norton Thorpe in 2001 after it had received a damning Ofsted assessment.

An initial report on his tenure said the school had made improvements but highlighted "serious weaknesses".

A Kirklees Council education department spokesman said: "We are glad Mr Ironmonger is back. It's good for us all to see that he is safe and well."

There are no immediate plans for Mr Ironmonger to return to work.