Cottingham High School pupils have say on new head after Elizabeth Logan's departure
ACADEMY governors who suspended their previous head teacher have asked staff, parents and pupils what type of successor they should appoint.
Cottingham High School's head teacher Elizabeth Logan resigned in August, six months after she was suspended.
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Questionnaire: Chairman of governors John Greenman at Cottingham High School. Picture: Rob Stebbing
Governors have refused to say why they suspended Mrs Logan, who was nicknamed The Loganator because of her leadership style.
Mrs Logan, whose management style divided opinion at the Harland Way secondary, resigned for "personal and professional reasons".
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Now, governors are looking for a successor.
They have asked staff, the parent association and school council to name the qualities they want in a new principal.
New chairman of governors Professor John Greenman said responses to questionnaires have been used to draw up a list of characteristics people would like to see in a new principal.
He said: "We were really keen to let people have a say on what they thought would be important, so we put a questionnaire out.
"We want to do our very best to get the best person we can to make sure it is right."
Professor Greenman was unable to say if staff, parents and pupils had been given any input into the appointment of Mrs Logan in September 2010.
He said: "I can't comment on what happened before, it would be completely inappropriate to look backwards."
In response to feedback from the questionnaire, the governors have drawn up a list of four key qualities for a successor:
To be a collaborative team leader able to motivate and get the best from all.
To show firm, consistent, leadership.
To be an effective communicator and positive role model.
To have a clear vision for the school and be willing to make appropriate changes to take the school forward.
One parent, who did not want to be named, said: "It might work but it's a bit odd.
"It's like football fans being asked who should be their club's new manager, which is not always a good idea.
"I don't really know what to make of it. I know the governors have taken a lot of flak.
"It looks as if they are worried to make their own decisions. I hope they get it right because we all want the same thing.
"Maybe they are doing it this way to try to demonstrate they are accountable."
Prof Greenman said the 1,288-pupil academy would advertise for a new principal next month, with a view to drawing up a shortlist before Christmas.
Mrs Logan was on a pay scale of £86,365 to £100,028 but the governors have not yet revealed the salary scale for her successor.
The former head was on full pay throughout her six-month suspension but the academy refused to say if she received a payout when she resigned.
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