A HEADTEACHER who was suspended after allegations were made against him has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Dominic James was relieved of his duties at St Stephen’s CE Primary School, in Tockholes, in April after an ‘incident’, the details of which have not been made public.

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Alison Ashworth-Taylor, headteacher at The Redeemer CE Primary School, in Blackburn, was drafted in to support the school twice a week.

Chairman of governors Paul Adnitt, a former headteacher, also said at the time that he would be helping the school as much as he could.

After the investigation, which was led by the governing body, was concluded, Mr James was found to be not at fault and was invited back to his position.

Mr James declined to return to the Rock Lane school, however, and a new headteacher will now be sought.

A spokesman for the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education said: “The investigation regarding allegations made against Dominic James has concluded.

“The conclusion agreed by the police and the governing body is that the allegations against Mr James are held to be ‘unsubstantiated’.

“Mr James was never accused of any manner of sexual impropriety towards the pupils in his care, and the completion of the investigation leaves him without any form of taint on his name.

“Mr James has made the decision not to return to St Stephen’s, Tockholes, as he has decided that the time is right for him to move on.

“The governors have thanked him for his work and commitment to the school, and agreed to release him from his contract at the end of this school year.”

Cllr Colin Rigby, who represents the area on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “He has a clean sheet so I’m not quite sure why he has declined to come back to the school.

“It’s quite concerning that he has chosen not to come back, but I of course respect his decision.

“It’s quite a difficult school as it has problems over the volume of pupils coming through it.

“When I have visited, I have got the impression that the parents and children and staff are happy with how it is being run.”

Shortly before he was suspended, Mr James’ school was praised for taking ‘effective’ action to tackle areas needing improvement after it received a negative Ofsted grade in January.