Head teacher accused of bullying

A headmaster is accused of nepotism and bullying at an award-winning school.

Richard Wealthall, 60, former head of St Clement's High School, Terrington St Clement, Norfolk, appeared before the General Teaching Council on Thursday.

It is alleged he employed and promoted family members, his mistress and her family while intimidating other staff.

Mr Wealthall, who was suspended in 2002, is accused of unacceptable professional conduct at the hearing which continues in Birmingham.

Staff turnover

The head teacher was accused by the senior deputy head at the time of "management by attrition".

Presenting officer, Bradley Albuery, told Thursday's hearing Mr Wealthall, of King's Lynn, had allowed his personal life to affect decisions about the school.

Mr Albuery said he had shown favour to his former wife, his mistress, his mistress's husband and daughter and his own daughter and son-in-law.

Mr Albuery said there was evidence he had allegedly donated £500 of school funds to a charity adventure challenge organised by his daughter and son-in-law, and not covering the cost of his personal use of a school mobile phone.

He is accused of misleading governors by not giving them a full list of staff turnover, which can be used as an indicator of staff morale, which was described as "low" during the hearing.

'Vicious and belittling'

Mr Albuery said there was also evidence that staff considered the head teacher's family and friends "untouchable", and that some were so frightened of being humiliated by him they kept quiet.

Staff described him to an LEA investigator as "curt and dismissive" and "verbally quite vicious and belittling".

Mr Wealthall was described by the Prime Minister as "an example to the rest of the country" when he presented him with an award as the most improved comprehensive in the country at Downing Street in 2000.

He was suspended after governors asked Norfolk County Council to investigate his dealings.