The Simon Marks Jewish Primary governors have confirmed the suspension of deputy head Norma Blair pending an investigation into allegations of serious misconduct.
Eighty parents at a meeting at the Stoke Newington school on Tuesday night were told by governors’ chair Peter Kessler that Mrs Blair had been suspended and that the matter was being investigated by the Learning Trust, which runs Hackney schools.
Parents also learned that Anne Curley, another teacher whose future has been in question, was considering new roles offered to her. A third teacher was said to be leaving to take up a post elsewhere in the borough.
In her presentation, new head Nicole Delamere covered the recent Ofsted report which found the school “satisfactory”, as opposed to the “good” report from the previous inspection.
She put forward plans to improve the school’s provision for gifted pupils and to boost sport and creativity.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Kessler declined to elaborate on Mrs Blair’s future, declaring: “We don’t discuss any individual staff member’s position in the press.”
He admitted the Ofsted report was “not good enough” but felt the school was making the improvements recommended by the Ofsted and Pikuach inspectors.
Concerned parents include Gillian Paul, who is considering removing her daughter from the school. She questioned how Simon Marks will fill three teaching posts which have recently been advertised. “I’m not sure that it will be able to recruit the same calibre of teachers to replace the existing ones.
“This transition period is a real shame because I like the school and the Jewish education it provides.”
However journalist Jonathan Freedland, whose children are pupils, considered the meeting “remarkably productive. Their message — that any school has to change a few things in order to keep progressing — was fully understood and supported.”
Emma Cravitz, who has two children at the school, felt “reassured” by the comments of the head and the governors’ chair. “The kids get a good education and they love going to school.” As for Mrs Blair, “it’s down to the Learning Trust to decide what happens.”