Former ‘superhead’ faces disciplinary panel

Liam Nolan was paid a £160,000 ‘second salary’ while at the now collapsed Perry Beeches Academy Trust
15th October 2018, 2:59pm

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Former ‘superhead’ faces disciplinary panel

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Former “superhead” Liam Nolan, who stepped down from a now failed academy chain over improper payments, has been called to face a professional conduct panel this week.

Mr Nolan hit headlines after it emerged he had been receiving a “second salary” of £160,000 on top of his £120,000 pay packet as executive head of Perry Beeches Academy Trust in Birmingham.

Mr Nolan will be questioned by a professional conduct panel this week, according to a notice from the Department for Education. It does not give details of what the hearing will cover, but notes he used to work in Birmingham.

A government investigation found that Perry Beeches had circumvented proper procedures when it paid almost £1.3 million to a private company, which in turn dispensed Mr Nolan’s “additional second salary”.

‘Superhead’ praised by prime minister

Mr Nolan left the chain in 2016 and not long after the governing body stepped down and the trust was disbanded.

Three of the chain’s schools owed £480,000 to the Education and Skills Funding Agency when the trust was wound up because the organisation had overestimated its pupil rolls.

The trust had been praised by former education secretaries Nicky Morgan and Michael Gove, and ex-prime minister David Cameron.

Despite the scandal, Mr Nolan was reportedly given a job by the Ruth Gorse Academy in Leeds last year. The academy has confirmed to Tes that he no longer works there.

The DfE has been approached for a comment on the hearing.

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