A HEADTEACHER at one of the borough's leading primary schools has agreed to take a leave of absence while a council investigation takes place.

Ludiya Besisira, headteacher of Mission Grove Primary School, in Buxton Road, Walthamstow, has stepped down temporarily so a probe can be conducted.

Neither the school nor the council are revealing what is being investigated but it is not believed police are involved.

Letters have been sent to parents stating: "The chair of governors would like to inform all parents and carers that Mrs Besisira has taken a leave of absence.

"In her absence the school will be managed by Mrs Ann Constanti - interim headteacher, Mr Bhoola and Mrs Cronin.

"They will be supported by the rest of the staff."

According to a source, council officers went into the school on December 17 and " a lot of paperwork, computer equipment and files were removed." This was neither confirmed or denied by a spokesman for the authority.

The belief among parents of children at the school is that the investigation may be financial in nature.

Mission Grove has been regularly praised by Ofsted inspectors.

In October 2008 inspectors described it as a "leading school" for its provision of support for pupils with English as a second language.

And it has also been ranked in the top five per cent of schools nationally in the value added league tables, which take into account pupils' improvement while at the school.

A council spokesman said: "In order to facilitate an investigation Ludiya Besisaria has agreed to take leave of absence from the school whilst the investigation is conducted".

He said the authority would not be willing to comment further.

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