PARENTS of pupils at the Minster School, York, are still waiting to hear whether the head, Alex Donaldson, is to be reinstated.
He was suspended, along with two other teachers, on 25 May, after “unsecured” air rifles and ammunition were found in the school (News, 13 July).
Parents and former pupils have accused the Minster Chapter and the then chair of governors and Dean of York, the Very Revd Vivienne Faull, of secrecy and insensitivity over the incident.
Signs in the window of an unlet shop in the town centre, owned by a parent, accuse the Dean and Chapter of failing to answer letters from “worried parents” and claim that Mr Donaldson was cleared to return to work on 25 June. After the conclusion of an investigation, Mr Donaldson’s two colleagues have been reinstated. But he has been on paid leave, reportedly because of a second unconnected investigation.
A spokeswoman for the Chapter said this week: “The Chapter of York has both duties of responsibility and confidence to its employees, and will not comment on issues relating to the employment of individual staff at York Minster. We understand that some parents are both concerned and angry, and we are working hard to keep them updated and informed with information that is appropriate and that will not compromise responsibility, confidentiality, and the proper processes.”