Council and democracy

Interim executive board to be appointed at Westwood

The council last week asked the Secretary of State for permission to replace the school's governing body with an interim executive board after an independent investigation, commissioned by the school and the local authority, revealed a number of procedural failings.

If permission is granted, a new interim board will be appointed and will lead major changes at the school. They will also take on the responsibilities of the governing body, which include looking after the school's budget, management of the curriculum and staffing.

The existing governing body will continue with their responsibilities until the interim executive board is appointed, which is likely to be mid-December.

The principal, Margaret Hedley, has decided to move on to enable the school to progress under the proposed new governance arrangements.

The school and the council asked for an independent human resources consultant to investigate a range of concerns centring on school procedures and approaches to various issues.

An experienced executive headteacher, Colette Singleton, assumes overall responsibility for the school from today. Colette has successfully supported a number of secondary schools in the borough, including Selsdon and Ashburton. 

The vice-principal, Jacqueline Jenkins, will have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school.

Dave Hill, executive director for children, young people and learners, said: "Following an independent investigation into various concerns at Westwood Girls College for Language and Art, we believed it was necessary to take swift action to strengthen the governance at the school.

"Westwood is entering an exciting phase in its development as it moves towards becoming a National Challenge Trust school. Under the new interim executive board, and the experienced executive headship of Colette Singleton, I am confident that the school will thrive."