THE fall-out following the resignation of the entire governing body at Richmond School shows no sign of abating.

It is now two months since the governors quit after being handed a warning notice from North Yorkshire County Council.

Despite the reluctance of the school, the former governors and the local authority to reveal the circumstances which prompted the resignations, the details are now beginning to emerge.

Last week, the Darlington & Stockton Times revealed how the school’s headmaster, Ian Robertson, had appointed a company to manage the building of a new sports pavilion without first seeking approval from governors.

Furthermore, Mr Robertson had lined up a contractor to construct the building, again without following local authority procurement guidelines.

It appears the school’s contribution to the cost of the scheme also increased without the board’s knowledge.

Although much about the saga remains unclear, it is evident that the relationship between the governors and senior leaders was strained.

The appointment by the local authority of an interim executive board (IEB) to run the school has been seen by some as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and move forward after a period of turbulence.

But the submission this week of a petition signed by more than 200 people calling for an investigation into an alleged “cover-up” suggests there remains widespread unease about the events that led up to the governors’ resignations.

The new board has stated that its priority was to deal with outstanding issues left by the former governing body.

Of course this is important, but in doing so, members must get to the bottom of why the previous governors felt they had no other option but to resign.

Only when they have all the facts can a plan for proper stewardship be drawn up ready for a permanent governing board to be installed.