School mystery over decision to drop new head

IT WAS always likely to happen when the world of Miss Jean Brodie crashed head-on with a 21st century woman.

One of Scotland's most prestigious girls' schools is under fire after proudly announcing the recruitment of a "racy" and "power dressing" new head teacher from the state sector only to quietly reverse the appointment just months later.

Sue Gunn-Johnson, the deputy head of a comprehensive in Devon, was offered the post of headmistress of St George's School for Girls, Edinburgh, where the daughters of lawyers, bankers, businessmen and other high-fliers are educated to the tune of £10,000-a-year.

But after Gunn-Johnson made a short visit to the school, in preparation for taking up her post, the school's governing council decided to ditch its new head before she had started.

As well as being a severe embarrassment, the recruitment fiasco could cost St George's financially. Last night, a lawyer for Gunn-Johnson refused to confirm or deny suggestions she would sue the school for compensation that could run into six figures.

The saga began last year when Dr Judith McClure CBE, head of St George's for 15 years, announced she would be stepping down in the summer.

The school's council of governors, led by Lady Anne Mather Smith, a supreme court judge, praised Gunn-Johnson at the time of her appointment for her "wealth of educational experience and a strategic vision for learning in the 21st century".

The council added it was "confident" Gunn-Johnson was capable of continuing the work of McClure in developing the school's strengths.

Gunn-Johnson, wife of the Archdeacon of Barnstaple, returned the compliment, saying: "I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to lead a school which I have already come to admire." She described the post as "an honour and a joy", adding that she looked forward to receiving the support of the staff and the council.

Possibly adding to her joy was the salary for the post, thought to be around £100,000 a year and around double her salary as a deputy in the state sector.

But the honeymoon was short-lived. Earlier this month, the school said it had decided Gunn-Johnson would not be taking up her post. The job of headteacher has now been given for a year to the school's current deputy Helen Mackie.

Neither the school nor Gunn-Johnson is revealing why their dream team disintegrated.

But it is believed Gunn-Johnson's larger-than-life style – she is an outgoing, vivacious amateur thespian – went down badly with some of the more staid parents and staff at St George's when she made a short visit to the school.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said: "In comparison to Dr McClure they seemed like chalk and cheese. Dr McClure has been an outstanding headmistress, perhaps a wee bit old-fashioned but modern in her outlook towards the school. The other woman is a bit younger, and slightly racy in her dress. You don't want someone like that, it's not like a high-powered executive type job, it's not power dressing."

In the town of Colyton, Devon, where Gunn-Johnson used to live, residents described her "over-the-top" dress sense, saying she tended to wear "hippy" clothes.

St George's insiders told Scotland on Sunday the school council gradually changed its mind while finalising the offer of employment.

But a senior figure at another leading Scottish private school ridiculed the explanations. "This seems like a weak excuse that makes the council look indecisive. It could put the school in a vulnerable state."

Another private school insider said: "The news is bound to provoke a number of unanswered questions amongst parents and the sooner any issues are resolved the better for the school."

Robert Owers, headteacher of Gunn-Johnson's current school, Churston Ferrer's Grammar School in Devon, refuted claims that she could not handle the job. "She is an outstanding deputy head teacher and I have no doubt that she will be an outstanding head teacher."

Gunn-Johnson declined to comment but her husband, the Venerable David Gunn-Johnson, summed up his feelings on claims his wife wasn't St George's material. "That's rot and anyway there's no comment from this end," he said.