Accused headteacher has to wait until April (From Witney Gazette)

Accused headteacher has to wait until April

8:33am Friday 2nd February 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

A HEADTEACHER accused of bullying staff and professional misconduct will have to wait until April to find out whether the charges have been upheld.

Alan Klee, former headteacher of Carterton Community College, faces eight counts of bullying and intimidating staff, four counts of showing disregard for college policies, three counts of not engaging with staff, four counts of preventing the governing body from fulfilling its statutory functions, and five further counts of failing in his professional duty.

He appeared before a General Teaching Council Professional Conduct Committee in Birmingham on Thursday - but the panel failed to reach a decision on the allegations, which were first heard in September 2006.

The panel adjourned until April 16.

Announcing the adjournment, the panel's chairman Ralph Ullmann, said: "We are still involved in deliberations, and it is clear we are not going to reach a decision on all the allegations today.

"This case has continued far longer than any of us would have anticipated or wished, but it's important in terms of Mr Klee's interest, and the public's interest, that we get a decision as clear-cut as possible."

Mr Klee resigned from Carterton Community College in 2004, and is now a headteacher in Kent.

He denies all allegations of unacceptable professional conduct, but has previously conceded he made errors due to exhaustion and being undermined by staff.