A SCHOOL where staff went on strike over allegations they were bullied by the interim head-teacher, is to appoint a permanent leader.
Acting consultant head-teacher Maureen Okoye was brought in to oversee the running of Selwyn Primary School, in Cavendish Road, Highams Park in January, after former head-teacher Robert Highfield, who has since resigned, was absent for many months due to a long-term illness.
But staff at the school staged a 24-hour walk-out in May in protest at Ms Okoye’s management style.
Following talks between the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and governors, the dispute was resolved.
It was agreed that Ms Okoye, who is also head-teacher of Davies Lane School in Leytonstone, would act in more of a senior administrative role.
She was replaced as interim head-teacher by Dorothy Spence, head-teacher of Wellington Primary in Chingford, who took on the title of associate head.
Governor Sandeep Christian said: “What happened was a situation outside everybody’s control.
“One of the main reasons we needed to appoint a consultant head was that we needed someone who had considerable experience.
“The governors are very disappointed that it got to the point of there being a strike, but we have always tried to work in the best interests of the students.
“We were always keen to appoint a new head. This means it will help the school to move on.”
Ms Okoye was praised for her leadership of Davies Lane in an Ofsted inspection last year.
Selwyn Primary School’s new head-teacher will be appointed by the end of the year, when Ms Okoye and Ms Spence will return to their respective schools.
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