Head accused of misusing school payment cards

Ian Carroll was executive head at three County Durham schools, including Rookhope Primary

A head teacher has been accused of misusing school payment cards for his own gain.

Former police officer Ian Carroll was executive head of three rural primary schools in County Durham until he resigned in 2019.

It is alleged that he wrongfully used school procurement cards - which work like credit cards - to buy a TV licence, Amazon Prime membership, hotel rooms, train tickets and electronics.

A misconduct hearing began on Monday, with the panel told that Mr Carroll denies any wrongdoing.

As executive head, Ian Carroll presided over some of County Durham's most remote primary schools: the now closed Rookhope Primary in Weardale, Forest of Teesdale, near Barnard Castle, and St John's Chapel, near Bishop Auckland.

In allegations dating between 2015 and 2018, it is said that he used procurement cards from Rookhope and Forest of Teesdale to dishonestly make personal purchases.

The virtual hearing heard that Mr Carroll - who was not present - had introduced the procurement card process to the small schools.

'Questionable'

Staff became concerned at the number of transactions carried out that did not appear to benefit the schools, including the purchase of fuel, oil and electronic items that were not compatible with IT systems.

Sarah Hodgkinson, now executive head of the Durham Dales Federation, was an assistant head teacher under Mr Carroll at the time of the alleged misappropriation of funds.

She told the panel he often made "not sensible" purchases and attended "questionable" conferences when the school did not have enough money to upgrade ICT equipment.

When travelling to conferences, it is also said that he booked family rooms instead of single rooms at the Hilton and Crowne Plaza chains, and booked train tickets for three people, instead of one.

Ms Hodgkinson said: "The purchases were not for the benefit of the children...he was purchasing for his own benefit."

'Concerned'

Witness Helen Walton, then secretary at Forest of Teesdale, accused Mr Carroll of adding her electronic signatures to documents she had not signed off, before sending them to Durham County Council as part of the payment approval process.

She said she became so concerned over potential anomalies with the schools' payment transactions that she started logging all card-related activity.

The hearing continues.