Private school head held in fraud probe
THE head teacher of a private girls’ school has been sacked and arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Hilary French, 62, was dismissed from Newcastle High School for Girls following an investigation into allegations of dishonesty relating to expenses.
Parents of pupils at the £4,341-a-term independent school were told of Mrs French’s dismissal in a letter on Friday.
The decision was taken after a “rigorous internal process” and police had also been contacted.
Northumbria Police said in a statement: “A 62-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of committing a fraud against Newcastle High School for Girls. She was later released under investigation and inquiries into the fraud are ongoing.”
The school, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, recorded 84 per cent of GCSE entries scoring at least a grade B.
It is one of 24 members of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Chief executive Cheryl Giovannoni said in the letter: “We wanted to make you aware, as soon as we were able to, that Mrs Hilary French has been dismissed from her post as head...following an internal investigation into allegations of dishonesty relating to expenses claims.”
She added: “This is a decision that has been made following a rigorous internal process. The police have also been informed. We appreciate this may come as a shock to you, as it has for everyone at Newcastle High School.”
She said that teachers would support pupils but they could not discuss details of the events.
Mrs French had already announced her departure in the summer. Her replacement is now stepping into the role early. In 2016, the school moved into a multimillion pound new site.