THE headteacher at crisis-hit Darwen Vale High School has been suspended.

Hilary Torpey has been removed from her post while an investigation is carried out into allegations that she failed to provide support to staff when dealing with unruly pupils.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is in the process of appointing an interim head.

It is hoped this person will take charge of the school by the middle of next week.

In the meantime, associate headteacher John Lawson will take command.

The situation came to a head yesterday when the school’s governors, led by chair Don Heatlie-Jackson, took the decision to suspend Mrs Torpey to look into complaints made by staff.

On April 7 teachers at the school staged an unprecedented one-day strike, saying they were fed up with the bad behaviour of unruly pupils and felt bosses were not backing them up.

Unions yesterday welcomed the decision to suspend Mrs Torpey and are pressing for a ‘fair’ and ‘thorough’ investigation to bring ‘resolution to this unfortunate dispute.’

Educations chiefs had previously backed Mrs Torpey, saying there were ‘no serious concerns’ about pupil behaviour.

It is understood that Mrs Torpey, who has been suspended on full pay in line with disciplinary protocols, did not go into school yesterday and was notified at Blackburn with Darwen Council offices.

Staff were informed about the suspension at 3.30pm yesterday.

Chair of governors, Don Heatlie Jackson, said: "A number of issues have been brought to my attention as the chairman of the school's governing body.

“As these require a full and proper investigation, a without-prejudice decision has been taken to suspend the headteacher of Darwen Vale.

“It would therefore be inappropriate to discuss this matter further.

"We would like to reassure parents that the education of our young people remains our priority.”

The National Union of Teachers, or NUT, and the NASUWT unions began talks with the school before Christmas when their members contacted them over claims they were being undermined by senior bosses at the Holden Fold-based school.

But discussions broke down to such an extent that 69 teachers picketed outside the school in front of a media press pack, with the story making national headlines.

The suspension came on the back of the first in depth talks between unions, the council and the school over the issues that led to the complaints.

Council bosses said the suspension was a ‘neutral act to safeguard everybody's interests’ while further investigations take place.

Simon Jones, NUT national executive member and Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire representative, said they welcomed the move.

He said: “The NUT thanks the governors and the local authority for taking this correct but difficult action.

“Union members will co-operate fully with the thorough investigation that must now be undertaken into the allegations that have been made.

“Since members took strike action on April 7 intense negotiations have been taking place with senior local authority officers and the chair of governors and considerable progress has been made towards agreeing strategies that, if properly implemented, should lead to the resolution of this unfortunate dispute.

“We remain committed to securing a constructive outcome for our members and the school and look forward to being able to make this work with the interim management team.”

John Girdley, national executive member of the NASUWT and Lancashire representative, added: “We look forward to a fair and thorough investigation into the allegations.

“The NASUWT is looking for a speedy return to good industrial relations and a return to normality at the school.”

Letters have been sent to parents explaining the situation and a senior member of staff will be appointed by the local authority to investigate the allegations.