Warning for school head

Mar 20 2008 by Sian Watts, Rhymney Valley Express

A HEADTEACHER has been chastised for knocking down a wall carrying an asbestos warning.

Nick Gannon, the head at Cefn Fforest Primary School, was given a written warning after being found guilty of misconduct by governors.

The DIY enthusiast carried out the work in May 2007.

Mr Gannon was reported to Caerphilly Council, whose officers decided regulations had been broken.

Mr Gannon said: “The work was part of ongoing class improvements to create additional working spaces.

“The disciplinary panel are in possession of all the facts, understand fully the context and have made a decision endorsed by the governors.

“I am grateful for the support of colleagues, governors and my Local Education Authority throughout the course of this investigation and look forward to leading the school through its next phase of development.”

It is believed the verdict was given in January but only came to light when it appeared on the Internet last week.

It has been reported that parents were not informed about the incident or the resulting disciplinary inquiry, but it has been reported that a subsequent test during the May holidays said that “the air was safe for normal occupation”.

Karen Richards, the chair of the disciplinary panel which chose not to dismiss the head – and now the chair of the school’s governors – said: “We based our opinion on the entire body of evidence that was put in front of us.”