Hackney Council refuses to release report into alleged irregularities at Best Start federated schools

Ex-superhead Greg Wallace

Unions are angry that Hackney Council is refusing to release the full results of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities at schools headed up by superhead Greg Wallace.

Mr Wallace’s reign as Executive Principal of the Best Start Federation (BSF), which runs five Hackney primaries, came to an end last year after he was suspended in July.

The Hackney Citizen and other newspapers subsequently reported that Mr Wallace had resigned while a council investigation was in progress – but it has now emerged that he was in fact served with a letter of dismissal from the Town Hall before standing down.

The Hackney Citizen understands local representatives of the National Union of Teachers, GMB union and Unison are preparing a letter demanding the results of the investigation into the alleged irregularities be released.

The unions are thought to be furious, believing the council has backtracked on pledges to make its findings public.

BSF comprises London Fields, Woodberry Down, Burbage, Mandeville and Whitmore Schools.

A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “A routine audit at a Best Start Federation school uncovered concerns about financial irregularity and the procurement of ICT contracts.

“A full independent investigation was carried out and although Mr Wallace tendered his resignation during the disciplinary process, the procedure was completed and we can confirm Mr Wallace was subsequently dismissed from his position.

“The report also made a number of recommendations to tighten financial and procurement procedures in BSF schools. The Federation’s governing body has agreed to defederate the schools and new governing bodies will be set up for each school. Those new bodies will take forward the recommendations.”

Mr Wallace had been singled out for praise by Education Secretary Michael Gove for improving the primary schools he was in charge of.

Related:

Hackney superhead Greg Wallace suspended

Hundreds sign petition calling for reinstatement of superhead Greg Wallace

‘Gagging orders could frustrate Greg Wallace investigation’