GOVERNORS at Rednock have backed head teacher David Alexander after a formal investigation was started into his conduct, following allegations that a pupil was mistreated at the school.

Mr Alexander is being investigated by The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) – a branch of the Department for Education – following a complaint by the mother of a 15-year-old boy with autism.

Zoe Elliott reported Mr Alexander to the NCTL after becoming frustrated with the way the school responded to her complaints.

She claims her son missed four months of education during a battle to ensure he was treated in accordance with the guidance set out in his Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC), a legal document which defines the extra help that will be given to the pupil to meet their educational needs and support them.

Mrs Elliott told the Gazette: “I have absolutely no faith in the school’s management and leadership team.

“I tried desperately to get my concerns heard by the board of governors by exhausting Rednock’s internal complaints procedure."

A spokesman for the Rednock governors told the Gazette: “The governors of Rednock School have every confidence in the head teacher’s ability to manage the school and have no concerns relating to his professional judgement or conduct."

A letter from the NCTL to Mrs Elliot confirmed that Mr Alexander would be investigated.

The letter stated: “Under the Education Act 2011 the Secretary of State is able to prohibit teachers from the profession for reasons of unacceptable professional conduct or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute or conviction.”

It added: “The NCTL has considered all the information received and has decided that a formal investigation should be started in relation to Mr David Alexander’s conduct.”

In 2014, Rednock was given an overall ‘good’ rating – the second highest grade – by Ofsted following an inspection.

Ofsted confirmed that the allegations by Mrs Elliott would be added to its ‘evidence base’ for the next inspection.

Tim Browne, head of education at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The county council determines what support schools need to put in place for a child with special educations needs and disabilities and ensures they have the funds to do this.

“Any dispute between parents and the school regarding their provision will need to be resolved between them, with any complaints being made through the school’s complaints procedure.”

Mrs Elliott said her son’s distress at the school was exacerbated by the death of his friend and fellow pupil Louis Eldridge, who died in a crash last year.

Last week the Gazette reported on claims from more than a dozen pupils and parents about alleged bullying between students at Rednock.

Following our report, a number of parents and pupils defended the school and praised staff and management for their action to tackle bullying and support students.