Despina Pavlou
Despina Pavlou was head teacher of Lord Grey School in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, England, from September 2002 to November 2006. Ms Pavlou was suspended[1] for allegedly assaulting her Deputy Head. She was dismissed in November 2006. Confirming her dismissal, her solicitor told the Milton Keynes Citizen [2] "Miss Pavlou will be appealing against that decision and she will have the full support of the Association of School and College Leaders in the appeal proceedings." She is known for her multiple exclusions,[3] one of which resulted in court action against her by the excluded child's parents, claiming that she took away the student's right to education. Ms Pavlou eventually won the court case in the House of Lords after a three year legal battle.[4] Human rights lawyer Cherie Booth (Blair) represented the pupil. The national press took an interest in Ms Pavlou at this stage because of queries about what was funding the court case.[citation needed]
Despina Pavlou used school money to buy champagne, wine, a wooden shed and a business class flight to Australia, when she was a headteacher of Lord Grey School in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, the GTC ruled.
The GTC panel also judged she had spoken and behaved inappropriately to pupils and staff, after hearing evidence that she “bullied and harassed” people at the school.
Ms Pavlou has now been banned from taking up future headteacher or deputy head teacher positions.
Ms Pavlou was previously deputy head teacher at John Mason School in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and earlier in her career had taught at the Royal Latin School in Buckingham.
She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham. She subsequently studied for a PGCE at the University of Cambridge which she passed with a distinction.
On 29 July 2010 the General Teaching Council made a disciplinary order against Ms Pavlou with immediate effect. She was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct whilst employed as headteacher at Lord Grey School between September 2000 and 31 March 2006. She received a Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time). The condition is that Ms Pavlou should not take up employment as a headteacher nor as a deputy headteacher.[5]
References
- ↑ Headteacher suspended as governors' chairman quits - Milton Keynes Today
- ↑ Head sacked – but she's set to appeal - Milton Keynes Today
- ↑ Head defends expulsions - Milton Keynes Today
- ↑ School wins legal battle - Milton Keynes Today
- ↑ Disciplinary order made by the GTC-Hearing of Professional Conduct Committee