THE headteacher of Lifton Primary School has hit back at the parents of pupils who have threatened to picket the school if he returns this term.

Terry West, who has been on sick leave for two months, blamed 'rumour, speculation and gossip' for the unhappiness at the school which he said has existed since May last year.

An anonymous leaflet has been circulating in the village questioning the teaching ability of Mr West and backing acting headteacher Martin Reynolds.

It stated some parents would picket the school if Mr West returned for the summer term which began on Tuesday.

Mr West this week told the Times: 'I feel that there is a body within the community which does not wish to see the school recover from this with myself as the head,'

'There has been much that has happened at Lifton School since late May last year which has been founded on rumour, speculation and gossip and with groups of people wishing to remain anonymous.

'This has meant that the school in its own community has suffered from adverse publicity. This led to some parents removing their children from the school.

'However, I as headteacher, only learned of these departures through letters sent into school in the summer holidays and from a colleague at another school who had received enquiries about places at their school.'

Only one parent spoke to him directly about withdrawing a child, he said.

Mr West claimed the established complaints procedure was not adhered to.

'As a result, concerns were not addressed in the correct way allowing anonymity, rumour and gossip to flourish,' he said.

'When concerns did come to the attention of the governors, steps were taken to try and meet with, what had been until that point, a series of anonymous complaints.'

Mr West said the publication of minutes from a meeting with unhappy parents generated concern among other parents.

'If concerns are not resolved to the satisfaction of the parent, then there is a clear procedure which is set out for headteacher, parents and governors to follow.'

Mr West, who has been headteacher at Lifton School since 1997, said an Ofsted report published in 1998 stated 'Lifton School is an improving school'.

He said: 'All the staff at the time of the report, including myself, had been in school less than four terms — an achievement to come through an Ofsted together so well after so short a time.

'Reputations are hard earned but unfortunately are very easily lost.'

l A group of anxious parents and governors of Lifton School discussed the situation with John Burnett, MP for West Devon and Torridge, and Roy Cook, vice-chairman of Devon County Council, at a specially arranged meeting in the village last Friday.

About 20 people turned up after contacting the MP two weeks ago.

Mr Burnett said: 'Parents were frustrated that they were not being heard.

'They voiced their unhappiness to me and mentioned that a large number of children had left at the end of the summer term last year.

'They said last term, under the acting headteacher, things had proceeded well but appreciated any negotiations with the existing headteacher had to be carried out with great understanding.'

He said a report of the meeting will be sent to county councillors and the chief education officer.