Parents furious as headteacher of troubled school takes three months off - to go skiing

As well as training to become a ski instructor, church-going Andrew Warren, 45, is using the term-long break for 'spiritual' purposes.

His sabbatical is unpaid and has been sanctioned by governors at Mill Hill Primary in Stoke-on-Trent.

But it has caused some parents at the school to question Mr Warren's priorities.

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Mill Hill, motto courtesy, consideration and respect and once attended by Robbie Williams, came in the bottom third in the area for national test results in English and maths.

It still fell below the national average after results were weighted to take account of pupils' backgrounds and initial ability.

One concerned parent said: "The school came 47th out of 65 in the city's latest SATs results.

"His three-month vacation is not for educational research or charity work but to learn to become a skiing instructor.

"This does not reflect well, given all the heads and teachers who have dedicated their lives to the profession without needing extra holidays."

As the experienced head of a large 500-pupil primary school, Mr Warren's salary is likely to be at least £60,000-a-year.

His place will be taken by deputy head Debby Heavey until his return at the start of next term.

Classroom union insiders said it was "very rare" for heads to take extended unpaid leave from their jobs, especially where the sabbatical has no educational purpose.

Councillor Jean Edwards, chairman of Mill Hill's governors, said: "The governors have agreed that the head can go on a sabbatical after being approached by him. He has gone on a sabbatical with no pay.

"The decision was made in May last year and the parents were notified by letter. The governors are satisfied that the children's education is not being affected. Had there been a salary involved, yes, we would have expected something educational from it."

Mr Warren's wife Joelle, also 45, said the Alpine break was partly "a spiritual thing, giving him the chance to reflect and pray".

Mrs Warren, managing director of a recruitment company, lives with her husband and their sons Jonty, 16, and Ben, 13, in the south Cheshire town of Alsager.

In 2006, the family went to Africa for a sponsored climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Christian poverty relief charity Tearfund. Mrs Warren said there was no fundraising aspect to her husband's current trip.

She said: "It's unusual in education to take a break like this - perhaps that's why so many teachers are going off on long-term sick.

"Andrew has never had a day off sick in his life. He is having a breather so he can come back with fresh vim and vigour."

She added: "People have been so warm - you should have seen the letters he got at Christmas saying, 'You are coming back, aren't you?'"