A BURNLEY headteacher is facing the sack after 'skipping' school to go on a two-week cycling break in Brazil.

Ian McCann, who is in charge of Rosewood Primary School, has been suspended after taking the last week before the half term break off despite governors rejecting his request for leave.

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The 58-year-old submitted a sick note stating that he was stressed after he failed to get the decision overturned.

It comes just weeks after it was revealed that Lancashire handed out 3,907 fines to parents who took their kids away during term from September 2014 to last July, the highest number among 71 education authorities.

Parents at the school gates yesterday said that they were 'disappointed' and 'shocked' by his actions but said that he was 'one of the best headteachers'.

Cllr Jeff Sumner, who represents the area on Burnley Council, said: "It has had a destabilising affect on the school and it's not fair for him to do it.

"It has set a precedent that has tarnished the reputation of the school.

"I'm sure that with hindsight Mr McCann will realise that he was wrong to act in the way that he did.

"It has ruined the potential fining policy at the school because parents will not want to be fined for taking their children out during term time when the headteacher does it.

"It has to be said that he is a good headteacher of the school and he has done a good job but this may have spoilt all of that."

It is understood that the headteacher has not fined any parents for taking their children out of school during term time.

Gayna Hardman, who has a grandchild at the school, said: "I'm shocked at what he has done.

"He is one of the best headteachers that I have ever known but he has ruined his reputation now.

"He should not have done this at all."

Michael Pollard, who has two children at Rosewood, said: "If I did that I would be fined a lot of money and if I did it at work I would lose my job for sure.

"He has done a lot of good for the school but that gets forgotten when something like this happens."

Mum-of-one Lisa Thompson said: "I think the suspension is a bit harsh but he still should not have done it.

"Parents are not allowed so why should a headteacher."

The school was rated as 'good' when it was last inspected by Ofsted in 2013.

According to previous reports from the education watchdog, Mr McCann has been at the school since at least 2007.

Rosewood was opened in 2002 and moved to its current site in 2004 and has 380 pupils on its roll.

Alex Bird, chair of governors at Rosewood Primary School, said: " I can confirm that a member of staff has been suspended.

"However, as the matter is subject to investigation we will not be commenting further at this time."

A spokesman for the school confirmed that Mr McCann was not at school and that it could not comment 'for legal reasons'.

Mr McCann was unavailable for comment.