Suspended Durham Federation headteacher Anne Lakey in police probe (From The Northern Echo)
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Suspended Durham Federation headteacher Anne Lakey in police probe
7:30am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News
Exclusive By Mark Tallentire, Reporter (Durham)
Anne Lakey
THE headteacher of one of the most improved schools in the country is being investigated by the police.
As revealed in The Northern Echo on Tuesday (March 5), Anne Lakey, chief executive of the Durham Federation, was suspended by the education authority, Durham County Council, pending the outcome of an investigation last December.
Now Durham Police has confirmed it has launched an investigation.
In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “We can that we have received a complaint of a historic nature about a member of staff at a school in County Durham.
“The complaint is being investigated. Enquiries are at an early stage.”
The Northern Echo understands Mrs Lakey voluntarily attended a police station and was interviewed under caution.
She has not been arrested or charged.
It is unclear whether the police are involved with the council probe or whether there are two separate investigations underway. The council declined to clarify this.
Neither Ofqual, the examinations regulator, or the Department for Education are believed to be involved.
The Durham Federation was formed in 2006, including Durham Community Business College (DCBC) in Ushaw Moor and Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston.
Fyndoune is one of the ten most improved schools in the country.
DCBC was the region’s first Studio School, an initiative aimed at improving vocational training.
The Studio Schools Trust declined to comment today (Wednesday, March 6).
Staff at the two schools were only informed of the investigation in briefings on Tuesday morning, after The Northern Echo broke the story.
In Ms Lakey’s absence, Trevor Dunn, principal of DCBC, has taken overall control of the Federation.
North Durham MP Kevan Jones said: “Anne Lakey has done a very good job since becoming chief executive of the school.
“I suggest if the police are involved we should allow that to take its course.”
Mrs Lakey had a national role in turning round failing schools and was recently described by the Chief Inspector of Education as one of the best examples of inspiring leadership.
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