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‘Porn’ headteacher sacked at Boris Johnson's child's school
Mark Blunden7 May 2009
A headteacher at the school where Boris Johnson sends one of his children has been sacked for gross misconduct.
Jay Henderson was fired from his £80,000-a-year job at Canonbury primary school in Islington amid allegations he had viewed pornography on school computers and serious concerns over recruitment.
Mr Henderson, 35 was suspended on full pay since October 2008 for “unprofessional behaviour” and was formerly dismissed on Friday.
Transport minister Lord Adonis also sends his children to Canonbury, which is popular with Islington's elite.
Secret reports seen the The Standard revealed concerns about failures to carry out reference checks or properly vet staff.
Following rows over vetting procedures, 12 out of 15 governors resigned from the board.
A teacher hired by Mr Henderson was sacked in January after emerged that he had been investigated by police at his previous school.
There is no suggestion Mr Henderson, who had a private office in the school with a kitchen and shower, was involved in any criminal activity nor that children were at risk of abuse.
He was described as a charismatic, inspirational figure and praised by Ofsted inspectors for his leadership.
Mr Henderson, who now has the right to appeal, was finally dismissed after a three-person disciplinary hearing.
He was headhunted to join Canonbury in 2005 and in 2004 won a headteacher of the year award.
Cambridge Education @ Islington, which manages the borough's schools on behalf of the Liberal Democrat-run council, is considering making the contents of the inquiry public pending a possible appeal by Mr Henderson.
A spokeswoman said he would not receive a pay-off.
She said: “A thorough, independent investigation was carried out.
“On Friday a disciplinary panel, having considered all the evidence, unanimously decided that Mr Henderson should cease to work at the school.
“Mr Henderson has now been dismissed for gross misconduct.
“Headteachers are entrusted with the education and safety of children and young people, and it is their duty to conduct themselves accordingly. We expect the highest standards of behaviour from school staff who are role models for young people.
Parents were handed sealed letters about Mr Henderson's dismissal.
When confronted with the allegations at his Watford home last month, Mr Henderson refused to comment.
Cambridge Education has handed its files to the General Teaching Council for them to consider if he is allowed to continue teaching.
A borough-wide independent inquiry into background school checks is now under way as a result of the Canonbury investigation.
Canonbury has temporarily hired Sue Seifert, 63, as head teacher after she came out of retirement to run the school.
Reader views (2)
Real shame... He was fabulous headteacher and we'll all miss him dearly. I just hope we'll get a new head very soon.
- Canonbury Mum, London, 07/05/2009 17:13
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I bet Gordon Brown somehow gets the blame for this
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 07/05/2009 15:49
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