Inquiry head teacher is to retire

Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn specialises in aiding pupils with autism

A head teacher under investigation at a special school in Denbighshire is to retire, it has been announced.

Michael Toman was placed on restricted duties following complaints by parents of pupils at Plas Brondyffryn school in Denbigh.

Denbighshire council said an inquiry into "matters of a procedural nature" is continuing.

Last year, a group of parents held a protest over claims that concerns over standards were not being addressed.

A report by the Care Standards Inspectorate identified 14 instances where the school was failing to meet the minimum standards in 2006.

Parents claimed that by 2007 none of the failures had been acted on and there were a further seven instances of the failure to meet minimum standards.

I have the utmost admiration for the parents of students at Brondyffryn for the unstinting devotion they show towards their children Michael Toman, retiring head, Plas Brondyffryn

The claims led to some parents of autistic pupils at the school staging a demonstration outside Denbighshire council offices in Ruthin.

Education officials have now confirmed that Dr Toman will officially retire from his post at the end of August.

In a statement released by the council, he said: "I will particularly miss working alongside the excellent staff at the school and the governors who give so much support behind the scenes.

"I will also miss working alongside parents and families. I have the utmost admiration for the parents of students at Brondyffryn for the unstinting devotion they show towards their children."

A council spokesperson also confirmed that an investigation stemming from complaints had not yet been concluded.

"The council has fully investigated the complaints, as it is duty bound to do so," she said.

"The investigation looked at matters of a procedural nature, but due to the prolonged nature of the investigation, Dr Toman took the decision that it would be in the best interests of the school to retire.

"At the time of Dr Toman's resignation, the internal processes had not been concluded. It would be inappropriate for the council to predict the outcome of those inquiries."