Fall-out over teachers attending wedding

A FATHER who caught teachers from his children’s school attending a colleague’s wedding when they claimed to be on a staff training day is furious after hearing no action will be taken.

Kamal Hussain was shocked to find staff from St. Hilda’s, Werneth, at a colleague’s wedding in Featherstall Road in October - a letter sent to parents days before said the school would close an hour and a half early that day for training.

Father-of-two Kamal contacted the authorities and the Oldham Chronicle after discovering the deceit - to be told Governors at the primary school had agreed to the time off. Headteacher Gillian Pursey said the 90 minutes was staff development time, for research into school golden jubilee celebrations.

Kamal has now been told by the school a “rigorous independent investigation” has made recommendations accepted by the governors.

“St Hilda’s has a brilliant relationship with its parents and community and wouldn’t want to see this damaged by a one-off error of judgment.”

Kamal feels the issue has now been swept under the carpet.

He said: “The decision in effect suggests that a serious gross misconduct, the closure of the school and the deliberate lie, can be overlooked if a school is performing well.

“The purpose was to investigate the school’ deceit, not to enquire into what it has achieved.”

He demanded a further inquiry.