Headteacher staying away ‘for own safety’ as school prepares to reopen

A NURSERY school at the centre of sex abuse claims against a male member of staff will reopen today but the headteacher has been asked to stay away for the rest of the week for her own safety. Sheffield Council’s director of children’s services, Sonia Sharp, said she had exercised her “duty of care” and asked Sue Daniels, the headteacher of Greenlands Nursery Infant school, to work from home. Dr Sharp said: “A lot of parents have been left very distressed by events – they are confused, upset and angry and understandably so.

“This allegation concerns a nursery infant school, a place where parents need to be double sure whether their children are safe or not.”

A complaint was made to police last Friday after it was alleged that a male school worker had sexually assaulted a pupil.

The man was arrested and questioned by police but has since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A meeting was called by parents, where Mrs Daniels and members of her staff were confronted amid allegations they tried to cover up what had happened.

Dr Sharp refuted these claims, saying police had been called immediately but admitted the investigation had proceeded on a “need-to-know” basis.