Academy trust denies claims of suspending teacher ‘due to having ADHD’

Tuesday, 15 July 2025 14:57

By Adam Clark

Shaw Education Trust has strongly denied claims that they suspended a Bury teacher ‘due to having ADHD.’

Parents at Tottington High School have been concerned about the absence of its headteacher, David Yates, who has been in post for a year and has been absent from his position over the past month, raising growing concerns about his future at the school.

Earlier today, a petition was launched to ‘Save Mr Yates’, with claims made that he’s been suspended due to having ADHD; these claims have been quashed by senior management at the trust.

Stephen Watson, Chief People Officer, said:

“We are aware of the speculation that has been circulating, including the suggestion that Mr Yates has been suspended due to having ADHD. I want to be absolutely clear that no member of staff has been suspended from Tottington High School – or any of our schools – on the basis of a disability, including ADHD. We take our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 extremely seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in any of our schools.

“While we are unable to comment on individual employment matters, I can confirm that we are continuing to support David during his absence and remain in regular contact with him.

“Tottington High School remains in a strong position with stable, reliable, and experienced leadership in place. The school continues to make excellent progress on its transformation journey, and we are confident in the direction and momentum that has been established.

“Our focus continues to be on providing the very best education and support for our students, while ensuring the wellbeing of all staff.”

Yates was last seen on the school’s social media pages on 17th June, alongside deputy head Mrs Deakin, when the school’s Year 11s left. Pupils can be seen receiving a guard of honour led by Yates. The video has had over 60,000 views on Facebook, with many interacting and showing praise to the school.

Many attribute the school's improvement to Mr Yates, for which he has a track record for, in his first headship he took the school became the 5th most improved school in the country. He has been teaching for over 29 years, with 19 of those as a head, executive head and director of Education across 9 schools and 5 academy trusts.

Mr Watson added: “I want to reassure you that the leadership of the school remains in capable hands. The senior leadership team is working closely with the Trust to ensure the continued smooth running of the school and to maintain the high standard of education and care for all our students.”

When asked for clarification on whether Mr Yates has been suspended on any other grounds, the Shaw Education Trust declined to comment.

The school has been part of the Shaw Education Trust since November 2018.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

‘We will not tolerate abuse’: Council restricts social media responses after ‘insulting’ comments

A council deleted – and later restricted – comments on a social media post marking non binary persons’ day after it said ‘insulting’ responses were made.
Talented 12-year-old wins place at top dance school

A young dancer has been chosen for an elite training programme after impressing judges with her creative moves.
Man jailed for 13 years after decade-long campaign of child sexual abuse exposed

A Rochdale man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of multiple historic sexual offences, including the rape and sexual assault of a child, following a police investigation spanning over two decades.
Newhouse Academy bans skirts for good as furious parents slam 'woke' uniform overhaul

A Heywood academy has confirmed it will press ahead with changes to its school uniform policy that will require all students to wear trousers from September 2025.
Full list of tram disruption

More disruption is coming to the Metrolink tram network this summer in a £147m upgrade programme.
Rochdale Riverside’s top shopping hacks to stretch your summer budget

Savvy shoppers can unlock free food, parking and family deals at Rochdale Riverside this summer as the centre reveals its top hidden perks.
Night buses to connect Rochdale and Bury with Manchester as Bee Network expands

Two new night bus services will connect Rochdale, Middleton and Bury with Manchester, part of a wider Bee Network upgrade to reverse decades of transport decline and bring 90% of Greater Manchester within five minutes of frequent public transport by 2030.
Young musicians shine at Rochdale Music Service’s Summer Sizzler concert

Middleton Arena came alive this afternoon, Sunday, 13 July, as young performers from across the borough took to the stage for the Rochdale Music Service’s Summer Sizzler concert.
Teen and man in 20s arrested after horror crash near Slattocks

Two young men are in hospital with serious injuries after a crash near the Slattocks roundabout in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police say both are under arrest on suspicion of vehicle theft and other driving offences.
Four ‘XL Bully’ dogs seized after Bury man hospitalised in suspected dog attack

A man has been taken to hospital and four dogs seized by police following a suspected attack in Bury this afternoon.
Vikings, brass bands and summer fun at this year’s Littleborough Rushbearing Festival

Hundreds of people came out to celebrate the Littleborough Rushbearing Festival on Saturday, with sunshine, music and dancing filling Hare Hill Park.
First weekend of Oasis Heaton Park gigs sees over 100,000 fans and just 15 arrests

Greater Manchester Police has praised fans for their behaviour during the first weekend of Oasis concerts at Heaton Park, which saw just 15 arrests across two nights attended by more than 100,000 people.