Teacher who conned council was vetted - school

Daniel Reynolds was an assistant headteacher at West Earlham Junior School

A school said "full employment checks" had been carried out on a former assistant headteacher who conned a council out of tens of thousands of pounds.

Last week, the EDP reported that Daniel Reynolds created fake invoices for food to feed disadvantaged pupils over the school holidays.

The 36-year-old of Avocet Rise in Sprowston, near Norwich, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation, and one count of making or supplying an article for use in fraud.

He will be sentenced at Norwich Crown Court in January.

'Deeply shocked'

Catrin Eyers, headteacher at West Earlham Junior School, where the offences were committed said the school was "deeply shocked" by what had happened.

"He was suspended as soon as these allegations came to light in June 2022 and has since been dismissed," she said.

"As with all staff, we carried out full employment checks before Mr Reynolds joined the school and no concerns were raised about his behaviour or conduct prior to this allegation."

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told how Reynolds was made responsible for applying for and administering a grant through Norfolk County Council as part of the government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

The scheme was first set-up in 2018 as a way of providing children with free school meals and activities over the school holidays.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when free school meals were in higher demand, Reynolds submitted invoices for food that had already been obtained for free.

He also charged parents, whose children were not eligible for free school meals, for food that had been donated to the school.

'First fraud of its kind in Norfolk'

Norfolk County Council said its finance and audit teams first uncovered the fraud and "reported the matter to the police".

Penny Carpenter, a Conservative councillor and cabinet member for children's services added: "This is the first time that we have encountered fraud relating to HAF activities.

"We will continue to closely monitor the programme to ensure that public money is properly spent".

West Earlham Junior School said Reynolds' actions had no impact on the school's budget or children’s learning.

Fraud carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.