400 Lycee Pupils Join Striking Teachers in 'Nepotism' Row
TEACHERS and pupils at a London school that caters for the French community went on strike today in protest at alleged "nepotism" by the headteacher.
The walk-out at the Pounds 6,699-a-year Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington was sparked by claims that the head, Martine Valette, wants to put the wife of deputy head Yves Routier on the payroll.
It erupted after sixthform head, Thierry Grepinet, found out that his contract was not being renewed at the bilingual school and that he would be replaced by Natalie Routier.
All lessons were abandoned for the day as 120 teachers around 80 per cent of the academic staff went on strike.
They were joined by more than 400 pupils who roamed the grounds of the senior school banging drums, shouting slogans and carrying banners bearing messages in support of Mr Grepinet.
A total of 800 students have signed a petition demanding their teacher's reinstatement..
Student protest organiser Raya Jalabi, 17, said: "We heard the staff were striking and decided to do something in solidarity.
"We're demonstrating for Mr Grepinet because he has the trust of all the students and teachers in the school." Mr Grepinet, 44, who has been a teacher for 26 years, said: "After five years my contract finished and I asked to stay.
They had a meeting of the staff and all of them were agreed with my reappointment so I signed my new internal contract.
"But then the officials in Paris said they wouldn't be appointing me. They said it would be the wife of one of the deputy headmasters instead." He added: "I think they chose her so she could come and live in England with her husband."
The French Embassy, which has responsibility for the school, refused to comment. Mrs Valette could not be contacted for comment.
ALEX STEPHENS
(c) 2007 Evening Standard; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
TEACHERS and pupils at a London school that caters for the French community went on strike today in protest at alleged "nepotism" by the headteacher.
The walk-out at the Pounds 6,699-a-year Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington was sparked by claims that the head, Martine Valette, wants to put the wife of deputy head Yves Routier on the payroll.
It erupted after sixthform head, Thierry Grepinet, found out that his contract was not being renewed at the bilingual school and that he would be replaced by Natalie Routier.
All lessons were abandoned for the day as 120 teachers around 80 per cent of the academic staff went on strike.
They were joined by more than 400 pupils who roamed the grounds of the senior school banging drums, shouting slogans and carrying banners bearing messages in support of Mr Grepinet.
A total of 800 students have signed a petition demanding their teacher's reinstatement..
Student protest organiser Raya Jalabi, 17, said: "We heard the staff were striking and decided to do something in solidarity.
"We're demonstrating for Mr Grepinet because he has the trust of all the students and teachers in the school." Mr Grepinet, 44, who has been a teacher for 26 years, said: "After five years my contract finished and I asked to stay.
They had a meeting of the staff and all of them were agreed with my reappointment so I signed my new internal contract.
"But then the officials in Paris said they wouldn't be appointing me. They said it would be the wife of one of the deputy headmasters instead." He added: "I think they chose her so she could come and live in England with her husband."
The French Embassy, which has responsibility for the school, refused to comment. Mrs Valette could not be contacted for comment.
ALEX STEPHENS
(c) 2007 Evening Standard; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
