A SENIOR manager of a troubled West Somerset school has had his contract terminated with immediate effect after starting an investigation into an alleged bullying culture among staff.

Mark Foden was one of three people brought in last summer by Beacon Education to revive Danesfield Middle School, in Williton, when it closed without warning in July after losing its senior leadership team.

Mr Foden said his ‘dismissal without notice or reason’ came after a ‘confrontation’ with a member of staff on Thursday (November 28) as he was investigating claims that people were being bullied and harassed.

He said a complaint was then made to Beacon and interim chief executive Trudy Danby who arrived at Danesfield and instructed him to leave immediately.

Now, he is fighting the dismissal through the National Association of Head Teachers, the Department for Education (DfE), and appealing to Beacon itself.

Mr Foden said in a message to Ms Danby: “I have been given my marching orders following my investigation of bullying staff.

“These bullying tactics need investigation, let alone the injustice served on myself.

“In my entire career I have never accepted injustice, hence my dedication to pastoral roles and lead qualification on mental health and wellbeing.

“I have worked so hard in such a short space of time to get Danesfield in a good space and you can be assured I will not be treated in such an ill-considered way.”

Mr Foden said Danesfield had been through ‘a very difficult period’ with 11 headteachers in 11 years, but following his interim appointment the school now looked very different and all its external reviews were ‘extremely positive’ and social media reflected the massive improvements.

He said: “If Ofsted came in now, it would be a ‘good’ school.

“Safeguarding is good, behaviour is good, and the DfE are off our backs, there are no complaints from anybody now, it is a much better place.”

Mr Foden said he had been recruited because of his 30-plus years of experience and holding the highest qualifications in mental health and wellbeing.

He said: “My brief was to get the school open and improving but we have gone much further than that.

“When I arrived the school was less than 40 per cent compliant with health and safety, and not it is 100 per cent.

“I was investigating this bullying that was going on among staff which is the last thing we need to clear up.

“Rather than deal with the problem and listen to me with my experience, they asked me to leave the building.

“They are not understanding what they should be doing, Beacon is failing at every level.”

A spokesperson for Beacon Education said: “While we appreciate the contributions made by Mr Foden during his time as part of the interim leadership team, we do not believe his claims are justified.

“All appropriate procedures were followed in the conclusion of Mr Foden’s temporary contract.”

They said Beacon was focused on appointing permanent leaders, the best provision for pupils, and ensuring all staff had the support they needed.