THERE is no connection between the suspension of Culcheth High School head Hiliary Douglas and an investigation into the management style at the school, Cheshire County Council said this week.

But the reassurances wear thin with many parents at the school who have been shocked at the suspension of Mrs. Douglas while governors inquire into an audit report.

Although education chiefs say the suspension is a normal procedure in such matters, parents have also expressed annoyance at being given little information other than the school, which has had 50 staff leave in seven years, is now being run by deputy head Alan Parkinson.

They are also puzzled at education bosses being called in by teaching unions to investigate the management style at Culcheth, with all the teachers being invited to be interviewed, off the school premises, by Mr. Wynn Edwards, Deputy Director of Education for Cheshire.

The majority of staff agreed and interviews were carried out in the evening during a four-week period, in strict confidence.

Council spokesman Ian Callister said: "The inquiry has no connection with the suspension of the headteacher."

But parent Christine Saunderson who has a 14 years-old son at Culcheth commented: "Because she has been suspended you assume she has done something wrong. I'm not sure she'll come back after this."

And former pupil Julie Atherton, added: "I'm very shocked by the suspension but no one seems to know what's going on."

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