Blackhall headteacher who went to spa all the way through paintings avoids ban

A headteacher who went to a spa all the way through running hours has have shyed away from a ban from the occupation.

Joanna Clark used to be a headteacher at Blackhall Number one Faculty in Hartlepool between 2009 and 2021.

A file by means of the pro behavior panel for the Division for Training (DfE) confirmed Mrs Clark additionally did not stay correct DBS test data and did not get a fence repaired within the playground, which allowed youngsters to depart the college.

Even if the Educating Legislation Company (TRA) panel discovered her behaviour amounted to unacceptable skilled behavior, the secretary of state for training determined there used to be a “robust public hobby attention” in keeping her within the occupation.

Mrs Clark admitted visiting the Ramside Spa all the way through running hours, in addition to failing to stay a report and tell body of workers of her location.

The panel discovered this “fell considerably in need of the criteria anticipated of the occupation”.

It additionally discovered a damaged fence between the play house and the body of workers automobile park, which she did not have repaired, used to be unsafe as youngsters may just recover from it and go away the premises.

The file mentioned this came about on no less than one instance.

Every other allegation mentioned Mrs Clark had discriminated towards a bunch of kids with Particular Tutorial Wishes (SEN) by means of keeping apart a 12 months 5 elegance into two teams – one with out a SEN youngsters and one the place most youngsters had further wishes.

The cut up used to be first applied informally in 12 months 2 and later formalised till the teams reached 12 months 5, the file mentioned.

The panel discovered it used to be now not unreasonable to divide a big yr team into two categories in keeping with skill, so “classes and reinforce may well be centered to the wishes of the pupils”.

The file added: “The panel discovered that Mrs Clark didn’t show favouritism, or discrimination, by means of keeping up the department.”

All over Mrs Clark’s tenure as headteacher, the college used to be inspected by means of Ofsted thrice, with the ranking going from Adequate in 2010 to Just right in 2012 and 2017.

“Each and every inspection file incorporated reward for Mrs Clark’s management on the faculty,” mentioned the file.

Durham County Council gained an nameless whistleblowing grievance towards Mrs Clark, this used to be referred to the TRA, and she or he resigned in August 2021 ahead of the belief of a disciplinary procedure.

The panel thought to be whether or not she will have to be banned from instructing in gentle of her behaviour, however mentioned there have been “intensive mitigating components”.

Within the written resolution, the secretary of state mentioned Mrs Clark had “demonstrated each perception and regret” and had passed through safeguarding coaching.

She had additionally offered a “really extensive quantity” of personality references which described her “just right personality and instructing talents” and the panel had discovered proof her movements weren’t planned.

The panel believed there used to be “a robust public hobby” in keeping Mrs Clark within the occupation.

The secretary of state concluded a prohibition order used to be now not “proportionate or within the public hobby” and the e-newsletter of findings “can be enough” to ship a message to the instructor as to the criteria of appropriate behaviour.

Blackhall Number one Faculty has been approached for remark.