Tory Andrew Mennear quits post at Hampstead Parochial school - other governors follow suit

Published: 6 May, 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY

CAMDEN’S Conservative education chief has mysteriously resigned his position as a governor at a popular primary school.
Councillor Andrew Mennear, in charge of all the borough’s schools, is among an entire slate of governors who have resigned at Hampstead Parochial School.
The reason for the sudden departure of a complete governing body has not been disclosed and those involved have directed all queries to the Town Hall’s press office.

The only clue as to why such a dramatic course has been followed is the admission by the council that it is investigating complaints made by parents of children at the school. It is understood differences of opinion over the way those complaints were handled and the weight given to them have proved divisive.
The idea of a mass resignation is thought to have been suggested to governors by officials at the Town Hall.
Cllr Mennear, the council’s education boss for the past four years, has been a governor at the school for only a matter of months.
In November, he had to beat off opposition to his appointment from existing governors. A group felt his role at the Town Hall would create a “conflict of interest”.

The current investigation does not concern child safety and has not harmed pupils’ education.
The school will be temporarily managed by the Town Hall and the London Diocesan Board for Schools.
Cllr Mennear, currently seeking re-election to the council, said he could not comment.
A council spokeswoman said there had been “particular problems” at the school and that a new “Interim Executive Board (IEB)” would be established.
She said: “The governing body has resigned to enable the local authority and diocesan board to establish the IEB, a process that takes a few weeks to agree with the relevant government department.”