Ex-college principal's salary had 'irregularities'

Sir Paul Phillips retired from his role last year

A college has been told to improve by the government after an investigation found "funding irregularities" relating to its former principal.

Sir Paul Phillips, former Weston College principal in Somerset, was paid £357,000 in 2021 and £362,000 in 2022.

The Department for Education (DfE) said an investigation had found "failures of management and controls".

Jacqui Ford, Weston College's interim principal and chief executive, said the college is cooperating with the government and taking action. Sir Paul declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

Highest-paid principal

He retired in August 2023 after working at the college for more than 20 years.

Tim Jackson, who is an adviser to the Further Education Commissioner, is leading the college's governing board while investigations take place.

The financial notice to improve issued to the college comes after an investigation by FEWeek found Sir Paul was England's former highest-paid principal.

The investigation is being led by the government after the education and skills funding agency's counter fraud and investigation team found the "irregularities".

It is not known when an update to the investigation will be provided, but the college has been placed under specific conditions.

It must hand over all information relating to the payments made to Sir Paul, as well an improvement plan, according to the notice dated 17 May.

The college's accounts for the 2022/23 financial year are yet to be published.

College 'operating normally'

In a meeting with staff, Ms Ford said the matter was of a "historical nature" relating to Sir Paul that does not reflect the quality of education or the financial sustainability of the college.

Ms Ford said the college is operating normally while the investigation continues.

She said: "The college is cooperating with the Department for Education and the Further Education Commissioner’s team on the matters identified in a Financial Notice to Improve issued to the college on 17 May, and to implement the conditions set out in that notice within as short a period of time as possible.

"In the meantime, the college is continuing to operate normally in serving our students, communities and businesses and we'd like to thank our staff for their hard work and professionalism at this time."

Sir Paul was awarded a knighthood in 2022 for his services to education, and provided leadership to national educational agendas.

Weston College's incoming principal, Pat Jones, will start in July.