EXCLUSIVE: Head teacher of leading grammar school is sacked for sending parents a list of striking teachers
- Head of King Edward VI Five Ways Grammar school was sacked on Tuesday
- Charlotte Jordan’s exit comes after a ‘data breach related to industrial action’
- The Information Commissioner’s Office has now launched an investigation
The head teacher of a leading grammar school has been sacked after sending parents a list of striking teachers.
Charlotte Jordan, 45, who headed up King Edward VI Five Ways Grammar school in Birmingham, was told to leave the school on Tuesday. The school described the incident which prompted her firing as a ‘data breach related to industrial action’ in a statement.
They have referred the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and say they have launched their own investigation.
It is thought that her email to parents related to the strike action taken by members of the National Education Union last month.
One parent, who contacted Mailonline, said: ‘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.’
Asked about her dismissal, Mrs Jordan said at her home in south Birmingham: ‘I am sorry but there is nothing I can say about this at the moment.’
Charlotte Jordan (pictured), head of King Edward VI Five Ways Grammar school in Birmingham, was fired on Tuesday following a ‘data breach related to industrial action’
The grammar school (pictured) has consistently ranked as one of the very best in Birmingham
She is only the second woman to hold the job of head teacher of the school in its 140-year history.
The school, founded in 1883, and now set in 30 acres of grounds, describes itself as a ‘highly selective, co-educational state grammar school.’
It is consistently ranked one of the very best schools in Birmingham.
In a statement the school said: ‘Mrs Charlotte Jordan will be leaving her role as Headmistress of King Edward VI Five Ways School on Tuesday 28 February 2023.
Mrs Jordan was the second woman to hold the headteacher job in the school’s 140-year history
‘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.’
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, the Chairman of Governors Bob Grundy said: ‘I am writing to inform you that Mrs Charlotte Jordan will be leaving her role as Headmistress of King Edward VI Five Ways School on 28 February 2023.
‘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.’
