DARWEN Vale High School’s headteacher is likely to remain suspended on full pay at least until the beginning of the new school year.

Hilary Torpey is still under investigation over allegations that she failed to provide support to staff when dealing with unruly pupils.

She was suspended in May when the school’s governors, led by chair Don Heatlie-Jackson, took the decision to look into complaints made by staff following their one-day protest strike on April 7.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said the suspension was in line with disciplinary protocols and revealed that a decision about the outcome of the investigation will be announced in the new term.

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

While the investigations continue, and until a decision is made, interim headteacher John Lawson and Jean McGrath will continue running the school.