The head teacher of St Aloysius’ College, Tom Mannion, has been suspended from his job, as he was arrested for suspicion of fraud, last Wednesday. The allegations of fraud were made on January 15 and was arrested on January 17. However he was then released ‘under investigation’; a spokesperson for the Diocese of Westminster said that the school’s governing body is “actively working with the police to aid their ongoing investigation”.
They also said “The governors are taking the matter very seriously and have instructed an independent investigator to work alongside the police investigation to review school procedures. The government body is also working in close partnership with the Diocese of Westminster and Islington Council, which are fully supportive of the action taken.”
Also the Islington National Education Union said “the Union was surprised to hear at the end of last week that the headteacher of St Aloysius’ College, most of whose teachers we represent, was questioned by the police and suspended”.
Despite the hassle with investigators and the police force, the Diocese added that the welfare and learning of students at the college “remains the College’s key priority in the weeks ahead”.
Although this problem has occurred now, in 2012 the College was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and the inspectors described their leadership and management as “exemplary”. Therefore this to have happened, surprised many people, including the parents of the children, who study at St Aloysius’ College.
This Roman Catholic boy's school was founded in 1879. Since 2004, the head teacher has remained: Tom Mannion, who is 74 years old, creating another reason why, it was shocking news for him to have been arrested and now undergoing an investigation; which will soon be uncovered.
By Priyanka Kaur. GGSK
