Leading head teacher suspended

Mr Wealthall suspended over "management issues"

A secondary school head teacher who was praised by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, says he has no idea why he has been suspended.

Two years ago, Richard Wealthall was given an award by Mr Blair for his efforts to raise standards at St Clement's High School in King's Lynn, Norfolk, which was named the most improved comprehensive in England.

The areas of concern relate purely to management issues and are not connected either with the education or well being of pupils

Chair of governors

Now Mr Wealthall has been ordered to stop work while the governors carry out an inquiry into "management issues".

Speaking at his home on Wednesday, Mr Wealthall said he was "completely in the dark" as regards the allegations.

"I've got no information, other than that it's got something to do with irregularities in management issues," he said.

Pupils

In a letter to parents, the chair of governors said: "I can assure you that you do not need to be concerned in any way about your child/children."

"The areas of concern relate purely to management issues and are not connected either with the education or well being of pupils at the schools," he wrote.

In 1999, St Clement's High more than doubled the number of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C from 27% in 1996 to 58%.

Mr Wealthall said the school, which serves a rural area, had recently had a successful Ofsted inspection and had received its third school improvement award.