Mysterious "absence" of headteacher brought in to turnaround school (From Sutton Guardian)

Man brought in to save Carew Manor School in Wallingtion "absent" from work

1:26pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News By James Pepper

Mystery surrounds the absence of a headteacher brought in to turn around a failing school.

Robbie Devlin joined Carew Manor School, which teaches children with learning difficulties, in April, but has been absent from school in recent weeks.

The school, in Church Lane, Wallington, received a scathing Ofsted report in June.

Mr Devlin was hired by the school as a troubleshooter in April, prior to the inspection, to turn around the school’s performance.

His approach in trying to turn around the school is understood to have been unpopular with some teachers.

The school, according to the Ofsted report, had shown green shoots of improvement following his appointment.

The report said: “Teaching in the school has started to improve, however, with some good teaching that is having a positive impact on pupils’ progress, but this is not being used to spread best practice.”

Following the report, the school was issued with a notice to improve, which means Ofsted will continue to monitor it until it improves.

A spokesman for Sutton Council said: “The headteacher at Carew Manor is currently absent from work. This is unconnected to the recent Ofsted inspection at the school.

“The reason for the absence of any member of staff in any school is a confidential matter between the individual and the governing body.”

The headteacher of Sherwood Park is acting head during Mr Devlin’s absence.