A disgraced former headteacher of a school in Wembley and five of his former members of staff have been directed by the High Court that they must pay back money they illegally received as bonuses while working at Copland School.Alan Davies, the former Head teacher of Copland Community School in Wembley, alongside former Deputy Head, Dr Richard Evans, former HR Manager Michele McKenzie and former School Bursar Columbus Udokoro were found to have benefitted from the ‘huge sums' they received in unlawful bonuses over several years before Mr Davies was suspended in May 2009. The verdict comes five years after a criminal conviction was secured against Mr Davies at Southwark Crown Court. Copland Community School closed on 31 August 2014. A new school, the Ark Elvin Academy, opened on the same site on 1 September 2014.
Justice Zacaroli reportedly ruled that they must pay back the bonuses they received while Davies was head. Davies was stripped of his knighthood after he was given a two-year suspended sentence for false accounting in 2013. In the same trial the former staff had conspiracy to defaud charges dropped. The purported bonuses to Davies and the others were sanctioned by former Chair of Governors Dr Indravadan Patel and former Vice Chair of Governors, Martin Day, both of whom were criticised by the Judge for reportedly “breach of fiduciary duty”, “wholesale failures” and “reckless indifference”. Mr Davies, Dr Patel and Mr Day were found by the High Court to have breached their fiduciary duties to the Council, leading to losses of more than £1million.
Cllr Margaret McLennan, deputy leader of Brent Council, said she was pleased to see the culprits face justice. According to the Harrow Times she said, “We are delighted with the verdict as it means the money, which had been swindled, will be returned and can now be used for the benefit of local people.
“Davies and his chums were arrogantly paying themselves ridiculously high and unjustified bonuses, including Davies pocketing a whopping £400,000 in one year.
“It has taken years of stamina and determination to win this victory, but justice has finally been done.”
