Ministers are preparing to sack the governors of a London comprehensive engulfed in one of the biggest financial scandals to hit a state school.

Copland Community College in Wembley is under investigation over allegations that senior staff took home at least £1.6 million in unlawful bonuses while classrooms were allowed to crumble.

The headteacher, Sir Alan Davies, was suspended last month with his deputy and bursar but governors who sanctioned payments remained in their posts.

Chairman of governors, Dr IP Patel, defended the bonuses, insisting Sir Alan was worth “every penny” of his £400,000-plus payments, but an investigation by Brent council found there was “no lawful and/or rational basis” for them.

Brent has requested permission from Schools Secretary Ed Balls to replace Copland's governing body with an interim executive board.

A Brent spokeswoman said the governors failed to reassure the council they could “adequately address our concerns”.

Mr Balls is expected to approve the request within days. He backed Brent council's “robust action” in suspending three members of staff last month.

The borough's director of children's services, John Christie, wrote to governors this week refusing their request to remain in their posts.

He raised concerns over bonuses and alleged nepotism, saying the investigation suggested the governors sanctioned the “excessive bonuses” to senior staff and “close relatives” of the headteacher.

Mr Christie said some governors appeared to have “actively colluded” with the headteacher in these matters, while others “failed to monitor” the school's finances properly.

Copland also has a £1 million debt to a property firm which puts its budget at risk.

The scandal emerged when a teacher spoke out about the “gold rush” at the 2,000-pupil school.

Hank Roberts, Copland's former head of geography, sent a dossier of evidence in April to the Audit Commission and Mr Balls calling for an investigation.

Dr Patel defended the payments when Mr Roberts went public. He said at the time: “I am proud to say that at Copland we pay all our staff very well.

“All salaries and bonuses are awarded perfectly legitimately through our school governors pay review committee.”

He said Sir Alan Davies was paid bonuses in recognition of taking over a failing primary school and raising £300,000 in private sponsorship for Copland.

Dr Patel could not be reached for comment today.