Head Teacher Guilty Of Bullying And More...

Original posting, January 2006

Richard Wealthall has been banned from running any school. A successful head teacher, who was praised by the Prime Minister Tony Blair, has been banned from ever running a school again. The General Teaching Council found Richard Wealthall guilty of professional misconduct while at St Clement's High School, Norfolk.

They found charges against him of bullying and nepotism to be proved. They also said he had used school funds to support fundraising activities by his family.

How low can he get? How can this ever be described as a "successful" head teacher? Sounds more like a complete failure. Unless, of course, it's in a Blair defense. He had been praised by the prime minister. Can't be seen to do wrong. Spin? I think a crude attempt. The council added that Mr Wealthall, from King's Lynn, had also used the school mobile phone for personal use and failed to report to governors details of staff turnover. Barbara Hibbard, chair of the council's committee, said Mr Wealthall had allowed his personal life to affect his decisions when employing his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and two family friends. She said it was also proved that Mr Wealthall, 60, had used "bullying and intimidating behaviour. It was an extremely autocratic and domineering style, such an atmosphere is not capable of allowing a school to thrive," she said.

In 2000 the school, in Terrington St Clement, near King's Lynn, was named one of the most improved comprehensive in England. Mr Blair said at the time that Mr Wealthall's work was "an example to the rest of the country". The school governors issued a statement saying:


"The issues for the school were nearly three years ago. The school, under the leadership of a new head teacher since January 2004, has put the matter behind it and moved on."

Mr Wealthall, who is now retired and lives in the south of France, denied all the allegations. The headteacher was not at the hearing for the outcome of the case in Birmingham that started last year. His lawyer Simon Thomas said: "Mr Wealthall accepts the decision of the committee and regrets that it has appeared he has upset valued former colleagues." [He is in France.]

"Not withstanding this decision, Mr Wealthall asks that the considerable improvements made to the school during his period of headship be remembered."

And how long is that list of improvements? And where is it? Wealthall is (retired) in France and not present to answer the allegations that he denies [from a distance]. News for you Mr Wealthall: whatever earlier achievements are alleged to have been made, these ‘unproven’ allegations are what's remembered. And, of course, everything becomes tarnished and discredited anyway.