A MEMBER of staff at Craven College has voiced his concern over the lack of information surrounding the absence of college principal, Lindsey Johnson, after reports they had been escorted off the premises in October.

The staff member, who asked not to be identified, said he and colleagues have been asking the college management what was happening and why the principal was absent.

He also said there had been at least one letter sent to the board of governors regarding accusations of bullying and safeguarding relating to the principal and that there were opinions, including his own, that the environment at the campus adjacent to Aireville Park was ‘toxic’.

The principal has been at the college for three years, taking the role in February 2020.

According to the informant, Mx Johnson was seen being escorted off the college premises by a security guard in October last year. Then two weeks ago on January 27 they were seen again being escorted into the college.

“We understand they were picking up some belongings. The security guard stayed with them. They could only enter limited areas of the college and were then escorted out again,” he said.

The staff member added: “It has been a very toxic environment. Many staff have left in the past three years. If (the principal) has gone, I’m glad.

“We have been asking what is happening because no one can move forward. All we are told is they are off sick. It’s a mystery. Another odd thing is that the principal’s LinkedIn page has them as head of the college from February 2020 to January 2023. It seems strange that an end date is there and yet there has been no announcement they’ve left.”

Mx Johnson’s social media accounts have been very quiet over the past few months.

The college was asked for an explanation into Mx Johnson’s absence and if the claims they had been escorted both off and on to the college campus in October and January were correct.

The college would not confirm if the principal was still employed by the college and was also asked for a response from the board of governors relating to the bullying and safeguarding allegations which are alleged to have been made against them.

A Craven College spokesperson said: “It is not the college’s policy to comment on specific HR matters but we can confirm that our principal, Lindsey Johnson, has been away from work for a period of time. In Lindsey’s absence, Anita Lall (vice principal, curriculum and quality), was appointed acting principal and accounting officer. We are confident that Lindsey’s absence has not impacted negatively on the college’s ability to meet its obligation to its students and the communities it serves.

“The comments made to you regarding the reasons for Lindsey’s absence are not recognised. As you would expect, all matters relating to bullying and safeguarding are taken extremely seriously by college governors, the senior leadership team, and all staff. The college has a robust policy framework in place to deal with such matters which is kept up to date. This is backed up by staff training. The college encourages staff to speak up about any concerns they have about their workplace in the knowledge that they will be addressed.”

The college was rated ‘Good’ at its last Ofsted inspection in 2018 under the leadership at the time of Robert Bellfield; a marked improvement from its 2016 rating of ‘requires improvement’. It is not known when the next inspection will take place.