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Academy call leads to sack
A school governor has been sacked for backing plans for it to become an academy.
Shirley Stratford was warned she would be given the elbow as South Tyneside Council's representative on the board if she supported Whitburn C of E School's application for the controversial new status.
But, after receiving confirmation from the council's executive director for children and young people Helen Watson that she was to be removed, the other governors at the school have vowed to reinstate her.
Headteacher Paula Williams and chairman of governors the Reverend Ken Smith say they are shocked by the announcement and hope to see Mrs Stratford in one of their open governor's spot by their next meeting.
Mrs Stratford, a former councillor and Labour stalwart, admits she had been warned by Coun Iain Malcolm, leader of the Council, that she was in danger of being sacked.
She said: "I have to say, in all fairness, their reaction was my initial reaction. I was against academies but, after I got to know all the details, it seemed the right decision for Whitburn.
"I have to say it was all very civil. I was told if I voted again I would be removed and I have been.
"It's not very pleasant and I'm not happy about it, but at the same time I know that how they feel is initially how I felt about academies."
She added: "But I don't think they have stated a policy yet and I don't agree with what they have done.
"The school's support means everything to me. It really is very kind of them to offer me the opportunity of another post."
Coun Malcolm said he had no alternative but to sack Mrs Stratford from the local education authority (LEA) post.
He said: "The bottom line is Shirley Stratford was a LEA governor. She was there to represent the interests of the LEA.
"The LEA stance on academies was to abstain or vote against them because we simply do not know what's in the Act and the implications for local schools."
He added: "Shirley understood our position in my office and I said if she was not prepared to do either she should remove herself from the position. But she chose to defy the LEA position.
"Any other LEA governors who do not abstain or vote against will also have to be removed."
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Weather for Sunderland
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
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