Academy head sacked by governors

Barrie Cooper was appointed principal of the academy in April 2008

The head of one of the government's new flagship academies in Cumbria has been sacked by the school's governing body.

Barrie Cooper was dismissed from his £100,000-a-year job at West Lakes Academy in Egremont, after complaints about his behaviour from staff.

He was appointed principal of the £25m academy in April 2008.

But he was suspended by governors in May 2009, after teachers from three trade unions passed a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

An independent investigating officer compiled a report which the governors said gave them grounds for dismissal.

'Gross misconduct'

Complaints from staff are understood to have contained allegations of bullying and harassment.

A statement from the academy said the investigation revealed there had been a "breakdown of trust" between staff and Mr Cooper.

"The governing body was unanimous in noting that the conclusion set out in the report of the investigating officer and the weight of evidence of gross misconduct are such that there is a fundamental breakdown of trust between the principal and governors that he cannot continue in his role," it said.

"The governors regarded this as a breach of contract which gives the governors grounds for dismissal."

In 1997, Mr Cooper was appointed principal of Devon's Chulmleigh Community College, which gained business enterprise status, and four years ago he became head of Nether Stowe High School in Lichfield.

West Lakes Academy, which specialises in science and business and has 1,150 pupils, opened in September 2008 after the amalgamation of two local schools.

Neither Mr Cooper or any of the school governors were available for comment.