A former London head teacher of the year has been found to have presided over the misuse of public funds, according to a government report. Jo Shuter, who led Quintin Kynaston Community Academy in St John's Wood, was suspended over financial issues in 2012 but later reinstated.
The Department for Education report, which examined spending between January 2011 and August 2012, downgraded the school's self-assessment of its financial performance from 'good' to 'inadequate'. Examples of irregularities included £6,957 spent on Ms Shuter's 50th birthday party, held at the academy, which covered staff time, catering, alcohol, food, party lights and landscaping. The money came from the school's budget and was not repaid for over a year.
Other spending criticised included £3,474 on flowers for senior staff birthdays, a £300 Selfridges gift voucher for a departing staff member, and off-site meetings at exclusive hotels. An overnight meeting at the Grove Hotel cost £8,269, while a meeting at the Landmark Hotel cost £4,410. The report also noted that chairs worth £1,579 were delivered to Ms Shuter's home; she claimed to have swapped them with more expensive chairs, but provided no evidence.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: 'The misuse of public money meant for schools is completely unacceptable.' The Education Funding Agency has issued a Financial Notice to Improve to the school, which will not be lifted until sufficient progress is made. The Metropolitan Police are investigating an allegation of fraud or false accounting.
