UPDATE: Monday, 11.15am – Lincolnshire Police have today confirmed that they have launched an investigation into Paul Reid, the absent headteacher of Spalding’s St John The Baptist Primary School.
More to follow on this update.
Friday, 4pm: A headteacher has suddenly gone absent from a Spalding primary school.
Many parents at St John The Baptist Primary School were collecting their children on Friday afternoon unaware of the development concerning Paul Reid.
A mum who contacted the Lincolnshire Free Press said she found a letter in her son’s backpack.
The letter, from chairman of the governors the Rev Peter Garland, omitted to explain the circumstances of Mr Reid’s absence.
It stated: “As chairman of the governors, I wish to inform you from Friday, May 18, deputy head Helen Stray will be acting headteacher with support of the local authority, to ensure leadership and that pupils’ education will not be affected.
“I will notify you when Mr Reid returns.”
Debbie Barnes, Lincolnshire County Council director of Children’s Services, said: “We can confirm that Paul Reid, headteacher at St John the Baptist School, Spalding, is not currently in school.
“Helen Stray will be acting deputy headteacher along with support from the local authority to ensure leadership and pupil education will not be affected.
“We are unable to comment further as this is a confidential employment matter.”
Mr Reid is the second headteacher to have gone absent from a school in South Holland in recent weeks.
Ian Charles, head of the Peele Community College in Long Sutton, was suspended pending an investigation by the board of governors into “disappointing” performance reports for the school.
• Parents: Let us know your views on this latest development. Are you assured by Mr Garland and the county council that “leadership and pupils’ education will not be affected”?