Despina Pavlou
Encyclopedia
Despina Pavlou was the head teacher
of the Lord Grey School
in Bletchley, Milton Keynes
from September 2002 to November 2006. Ms Pavlou was suspended for allegedly assaulting her Deputy Head. She was officially dismissed in November 2006. Confirming her dismissal, her solicitor told the Milton Keynes Citizen "Miss Pavlou will be appealing against that decision and she will have the full support of the Association of School and College Leaders
in the appeal proceedings." She is also known for her multiple exclusions, one of which resulted in court action against her by the excluded child's parents, claiming that she took away the student's right to education. Ms Pavlou eventually won the court case in the House of Lords
after a three year legal battle. Human rights lawyer Cherie Booth
(Blair) represented the pupil. The National press took an interest in Ms Pavlou at this stage because of queries about what was funding the court case.
Pavlou did manage to turn the performance of the Lord Grey school from unsatisfactory to good.
Ms Pavlou was previously deputy head teacher at John Mason School
in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and earier in her career had taught at the Royal Latin School in Buckingham.
Ms Pavlou has a degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham. She subsequently studied for a PGCE at the University of Cambridge which she passed with a distinction.
On 29 July 2010 the General Teaching Council made a disciplinary order against Ms Despina Pavlou with immediate effect.
Ms Despina Pavlou was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct whilst employed as headteacher at Lord Grey School, Milton Keynes between September 2000 and 31 March 2006. Ms Despina Pavlou received a Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time). The condition is that Ms Pavlou should not take up employment as a headteacher nor as a deputy headteacher.
Head teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
of the Lord Grey School
Lord Grey School
The Lord Grey School is a comprehensive co-educational secondary school in West Bletchley, Milton Keynes. The school is a dual specialist Language College and Humanities College.-Ofsted report:...
in Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Bletchley is a constituent town of Milton Keynes, England. It is part of the Borough of Milton Keynes unitary authority, in the ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire. It is situated in the south-west of Milton Keynes but still retains a distinctive identity...
from September 2002 to November 2006. Ms Pavlou was suspended for allegedly assaulting her Deputy Head. She was officially dismissed in November 2006. Confirming her dismissal, her solicitor told the Milton Keynes Citizen "Miss Pavlou will be appealing against that decision and she will have the full support of the Association of School and College Leaders
Association of School and College Leaders
The Association of School and College Leaders , formerly the Secondary Heads Association , is the British professional association for leaders of secondary schools and colleges.-History:...
in the appeal proceedings." She is also known for her multiple exclusions, one of which resulted in court action against her by the excluded child's parents, claiming that she took away the student's right to education. Ms Pavlou eventually won the court case in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
after a three year legal battle. Human rights lawyer Cherie Booth
Cherie Blair
Cherie Blair , known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is a British barrister working in the legal system of England and Wales. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; the couple have three sons and one daughter...
(Blair) represented the pupil. The National press took an interest in Ms Pavlou at this stage because of queries about what was funding the court case.
Pavlou did manage to turn the performance of the Lord Grey school from unsatisfactory to good.
Ms Pavlou was previously deputy head teacher at John Mason School
John Mason School
John Mason School, or JMS, is a state secondary school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. It has a specialist Arts College status.-History:Established as an old grammar school in 1960, JMS has now grown considerably, with, as of 2007, approximately 1000 students. Ms Di Mashiter began as the...
in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and earier in her career had taught at the Royal Latin School in Buckingham.
Ms Pavlou has a degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham. She subsequently studied for a PGCE at the University of Cambridge which she passed with a distinction.
On 29 July 2010 the General Teaching Council made a disciplinary order against Ms Despina Pavlou with immediate effect.
Ms Despina Pavlou was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct whilst employed as headteacher at Lord Grey School, Milton Keynes between September 2000 and 31 March 2006. Ms Despina Pavlou received a Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time). The condition is that Ms Pavlou should not take up employment as a headteacher nor as a deputy headteacher.