WIRRAL Council began “a formal process” earlier this month into complaints raised about a high school in Wirral.
An email, seen by the LDRS, sent by the local authority’s director for children, families, and education Elizabeth Hartley said it was “now initiating a formal procedure to consider all information and concerns raised” about Pensby High School in July.
Pensby High School is a foundation school based on Irby Road in Heswall and has been rated “good” since 2013. It is currently overseen by headteacher Kevin Flanagan who has been in the post since 2015.
The email asked for details to be shared with a number of different officials including a council officer who investigates allegations as well as school governors, parent governors, local authority assistant directors, and a governor from another school. The email by Ms Hartley added this “will allow me to understand how your concern has been dealt with by the Governing Body and ascertain a more accurate view.”
The inquiry by the council follows an ongoing legal case between Mr Flanagan and two parents of former pupils, Keith and Stephanie Critchley. He is suing them for harassment, a claim they deny.
Brabners Solicitors, which are representing Mr Flanagan, said he was “left with little option” but to pursue the case, adding it caused “significant personal distress for him and his family, while also causing unnecessary and upsetting disruption for the school.”
The Critchleys, who had two children at the school, had set up a Facebook group called FamiliesFightFlanagan, as well as an Instagram page and a petition. The couple had accused Mr Flanagan of bullying behaviour after attempting to raise concerns with the school.
According to legal papers stating his claim, Mr Flanagan is asking for damages for harassment as well as an injunction to take down the Facebook group and Instagram page and while Mr Flanagan remains headteacher, the couple not enter the school or a restricted zone around it, appear at or enter Mr Flanagan’s home, publish any material about Mr Flanagan, or knowingly drive within 50m of him.
In legal papers, the Critchleys argue the incidents between the couple and Mr Flanagan had been limited and didn’t cross the threshold for harassment. They said the Facebook group was “in response to what (Mrs Critchley) reasonably believed was poor treatment of her daughters” and “numerous other parents and former pupils felt the same.”
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “While a formal process is underway, we will not comment further.”
Mr Flanagan on behalf of Pensby High School said: “Matters are now properly before the High Court process and as such the school will not be commenting at this time.”
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