Council issues statement over teaching ban for Educating Greater Manchester star Drew Povey

The council that ran the school in Educating Greater Manchester has issued a statement after ex-headteacher Drew Povey was banned from teaching following a long-running dispute.

The ex-Harrop Fold School head was in charge when it featured in the TV show. He has been banned from teaching indefinitely. It comes after the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found him and his brother Ross, who was his deputy, guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' following allegations pupils were removed from the register, boosting the school's results.

Mr Povey admitted to 'administrative errors' but denied that the school - now called The Lowry Academy - engaged in the practice known as 'off-rolling'. After resigning in 2018 following his suspension, he claimed he was the victim of a 'personal vendetta'.

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Salford council, which denied Mr Povey's claims at the time, has now issued a statement on the TRA's decision. A spokesperson for the council, which no longer runs the school that has since been converted to an academy, said: "We accept the findings of this hearing.

"Salford City Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all and a key component of that vision is to create a child-friendly city where children and young people can thrive. The safeguarding of children and teachers within our schools as well as the provision of quality education facilities is and always has been our priority and when these are drawn into question, then it is only right that an investigation is undertaken to determine any issues which may need to be addressed."

A TRA panel found that all the allegations put to Mr Povey, including that he failed to ensure accurate records were maintained and, in doing so, failed to protect pupils from the risk of potential harm, to be 'proven'. A panel also concluded his actions were 'deliberate'.

Ross Povey, who was the assistant headteacher at the school, was not found to have caused, permitted or failed to prevent the amendment of pupil attendance data. However, the panel found that all of the other allegations made against him were 'proven'.

'Numerous' character references and testimonials, describing Drew as 'kind', a 'breath of fresh air' and an 'exceptional charismatic leader', were considered by the panel. However, at a joint hearing in October, Andrew Faux, the barrister representing the former headteacher accepted that he was a 'poor school manager' with the panel finding he had 'very limited knowledge' of requirements.

Both Drew and Ross Povey have been prohibited from teaching indefinitely which means they cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation or children's home in England. They can apply for the prohibition order to be lifted in two years' time.

Responding to the ruling by the TRA, Mr Povey said that he is 'deeply saddened' by the decision and denied that he was involved in a deliberate plan to off-roll pupils or change attendance data. Andrew Faux, the barrister representing the former headteacher at the TRA panel hearing which was held in October, said that Mr Povey is now considering appealing the decision at the high court.