BY PETRA MANN
The headteacher at the only secondary school on the Isles of Scilly – who was suspended amid alleged financial irregularities and a vote of no confidence – has resigned.
Council chiefs confirmed yesterday that Bryce Wilby had quit his post at the new £16 million Five Islands School after governors suspended him during an on-going internal audit.
Mr Wilby, who denies any wrongdoing, said he and his wife Maria would be leaving the islands.
He said: “I shall not be going back into the school this term.
“It is the right course of action.
“It’s been a very difficult few weeks and I want to make sure the school can go from strength to strength.”
The Council of the Isles of Scilly said it had accepted the 45-year-old’s decision to stand down.
In a brief statement issued on behalf of governors at the school and the council, a spokesman said: “The governing body of the Five Islands School and the Council of the Isles of Scilly have received a letter of resignation from Mr Bryce Wilby as the head teacher of the Five Islands School.
“This matter is being dealt with in the appropriate manner.”
Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited the school as part of a three-day tour of the county.
An acting head teacher remains in place while the audit continues – it’s not yet clear when the final report will be submitted.
Mr Wilby was suspended in May following a routine audit at the school where he had worked for three years.
While some islanders voiced their anger over the move, it later emerged that 70% of the members of staff at the school had signed a vote of “no confidence” in him.
Around 250 students attend the Church of England school controlled by the unitary authority on the island.
Since the suspension two governors at the school have also resigned.
Source: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/head-teacher-stands/story-16480152-detail/story.html
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