Suspended head quits: Elizabeth Logan leaves Cottingham High days before new term

A FLAGSHIP academy school has announced the resignation of its head teacher, just as the new term is set to start.

Cottingham High School head Elizabeth Logan was suspended six months ago. Pupils and parents were not given an explanation.

Now, with the school due to reopen after the summer holidays on Monday, a message on its website says Mrs Logan has resigned for "personal and professional reasons".

The statement reads: "After a period of two years Mrs Logan has decided to resign her position as head teacher at Cottingham High School.

"Mrs Logan says she enjoyed the role but has decided to leave for personal and professional reasons.

"Mrs Logan is extremely proud of what was achieved during her time as head.

"The parties appreciate that this has been a difficult time for staff, parents and students and would like to thank them all for their hard work and support.

"Mrs Logan wishes the school and all of its students every success in the future."

The departing head teacher, credited by some parents for improving standards at the school, could not be contacted to comment.

Cottingham High School chairman of governors Jim Brigham refused to elaborate on the reasons for her departure.

He said: "There will be put into place provision for an acting head and acting deputies."

When pupils go back on Monday, Will Jennings will be acting head teacher, as he has been for the past six months.

Mr Brigham said: "All that will happen is that the procedure which has been in place while Mrs Logan has been away from the school will continue while the school looks for a replacement head teacher."

Parents and teachers who were waiting to hear the facts about Mrs Logan's suspension brought into the open have been left frustrated by the lack on information. One teacher, who did not want to be named, said: "A e-mail has been sent around to everyone employed at the school.

"It's obvious this is being swept under the carpet."

One Cottingham High School pupil said: "We should have been given reasons for her departure rather than for 'personal and professional reasons'.

"We have been going through this for months and to not be told anything at the end of all these investigations is unfair on parents, staff and pupils.

"The school has been given a bad reputation due to this and now it's time to build up our once-great reputation."

The website statement continued: "Examination results rose last year, with students achieving 80 per cent A* to C at A level, the highest results in the East Riding. GCSE results at the school also improved.

"The school also achieved significant sporting successes and a culture of celebration was introduced along with the house system."

Asked whether Mrs Logan could take some credit for the improvement in results, Mr Brigham said she "may be able to".

He added: "She'd only been in the post for a couple of years.

"We're very fortunate to have in place a strong senior management team who have worked extremely hard."

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) says the past six months' uncertainty is an example of the pitfalls of schools leaving local authority control and becoming academies.

NUT East Riding joint secretary Ian Richardson said: "A local authority head is part of a collective system, academy heads tend to be more an island unto themselves.

"Unfortunately, the leadership of Mrs Logan did create problems for our members working at the school."

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