Headteacher sacked ‘after sending parents a list of striking teachers’ as school launches probe
A HEADTEACHER of a top grammar school has been sacked after she allegedly sent parents a list of striking teachers.
King Edward VI Five Ways School in Birmingham has launched a probe into Charlotte Jordan’s catastrophic data breach.
The 45-year-old was told to leave the school on Tuesday after what they described as “a data breach related to industrial action.”
She was appointed as headmistress in September 2021 and was formerly the deputy head.
The school has referred the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) alongside its own investigation.
Mrs Jordan is thought to be only the second female head in the “highly selective” school’s 140-year history.
The email she sent to parents is alleged to have named some teachers who would be absent due to planned national strike action last month.
Members of the National Education Union staged walkouts in recent weeks over pay and conditions.
One parent told MailOnline: “It is a huge surprise.
“She was just settling in as the head teacher and now there will be a further period of instability.
“She clearly made a mistake, but probably thought the parents had a right to know.”
The school describes itself as a “highly selective, co-educational state grammar school” and boasts 30 acres.
It is regarded as one of the best schools in Birmingham and teaches pupils aged 11 to 18.
The school said in a statement: “Mrs Charlotte Jordan will be leaving her role as Headmistress of King Edward VI Five Ways School on Tuesday 28 February.
“The school’s Governing Body has communicated this news to staff, parents, and pupils at Five Ways.
“We thank Charlotte for her leadership and contribution to the school and the wider Foundation.
“We have appointed an experienced Interim Headteacher, who until recently was leading a Foundation school, to see the school through the next few months until permanent arrangements are made.
“The Academy Trust’s investigation into the data breach at King Edward VI Five Ways School related to industrial action earlier this month is ongoing.
“The Information Commissioner’s Office has been informed of the breach, and we are investigating the breach in line with the ICO’s timescales.”
Mrs Jordan said of her dismissal: “I am sorry but there is nothing I can say about this at the moment.”
A spokeswoman for the ICO said: “People have the right to expect that organisations will handle their personal information securely and responsibly.
“If an individual has concerns about how their data has been handled, they should raise it with the organisation first, then report them to us if they are not satisfied with the response.
“King Edward VI Foundation and Academy Trust has made us aware of an incident and we are assessing the information provided.”
In a letter to parents, chairman of governors Bob Grundy said: “On behalf of the Governing Body, I thank Charlotte for her leadership and contribution to Five Ways, as Headmistress since 2021 and before that as Deputy Head from 2019.”