Calday Grange grammar school’s chair of governors steps down

Jun 23 2011 By Liam Murphy

THE chairman of governors of a top Wirral school at the centre of a row over its suspended head teacher has stepped down.

Margaret Twemlow, who served on Calday Grange grammar’s governing body for more than 30 years, said other commitments meant she would be unable to continue.

She held the post during the long-running suspension of Andrew Hall, head teacher at the West Kirby school, the oldest in Wirral.

Mrs Twemlow today said despite "overwhelming support" for her to stand again as chair of governors, she was unable to commit the necessary time to continue.

Current vice chair Rod Walker will take over until permanent replacement is formally appointed.

In a letter read to a meeting of the governors, Mrs Twemlow said she was "extremely proud" to serve as chair but added: "After a considerable amount of thought, I have decided not to stand for re-election as chairman of the governing body as I have already undertaken another role which will take a considerable amount of my time."

Mrs Twemlow said she had intended to follow "Calday tradition" by stepping down as a member of the governing body once she completed her term as chairman.

However, she said she intends to continue to maintain close connections with the school, and added: "I am dedicated to the school and I think it’s a brilliant place."

She said: "I’m not sad at all, it’s the right thing for me at this time. I have put heart and soul and blood, sweat and tears into the school for the last four years. It’s been a difficult time but we have come through it."