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Shock as head quits to remarry
A POPULAR headteacher at a Sheffield Catholic primary school is being forced to quit his job - because he plans to remarry.
Michael Cassidy, who will wed in the autumn, wrote to parents at St Patrick's Primary at Sheffield Lane Top on the last day of term saying his decision to leave at Christmas "has been taken for me".
Shocked parents are now drawing up a petition in protest about Mr Cassidy's departure and are planning a campaign on social networking website Facebook.
In his letter Mr Cassidy says it is with much sadness that he will be leaving St Patrick's at the end of the autumn term.
He writes: "This is a decision that has been taken for me as a result of the forthcoming change in my personal life which is that I am to remarry in the autumn.
"As a consequence my position as headteacher is no longer compatible with the conditions and services of my contract. Therefore I have no option but to leave.
"It goes without saying that leaving St Patrick's will be very difficult for me as I have become very much part of this special community."
Mr Cassidy, who has been head at St Patrick's for the past four years, is believed to be a divorcee who is marrying his long-standing partner.
Catholic doctrine holds that a Christian marriage can never be wholly dissolved, and some argue that to marry for a second time cannot be valid.
And it is felt that Catholic headteachers need to be committed to the faith while acting as role models to pupils, staff and the community.
Mum Claire Bolsover, herself a Catholic with a daughter at the school, said Mr Cassidy's departure had been the talk of the congregation at the nearby St Patrick's Church on Sunday.
She added: "I think this policy is disgusting. Mr Cassidy is a fantastic head and both children and parents are really upset. Any school occasion and he's there, and he knows every child's name.
"He has been with a lady for two years and he has decided to remarry. He must have known what the consequences would be, but he has decided to commit himself to his future wife and so sacrifice his job. Would the school prefer him to live in sin?
"There are a lot of upset and angry parents - we just hope that if enough of us complain we can get this overturned. Mr Cassidy's capability and dedication to the school should be what is most important."
Mum-of-two Melissa Lightfoot said she had been extremely upset by Mr Cassidy's letter.
She said: "I had to console both of my children. I had to think which century we were living in and yes, we do live in the 21st century and not the dark ages.
"Catholic views on marriage and divorce are very strict but if it is going to put our children's learning in jeopardy then I think it needs re-thinking. I believe that Mr Cassidy's personal circumstances are not relevant to his job and we would love him to stay."
John Cape, director of schools for the Hallam Diocese, said he was aware of Mr Cassidy's resignation with effect from December 31, 2009.
He added: "It is a matter of personal choice made by a man of great integrity. As director of schools I will continue to offer pastoral and professional support to him in the decision he has taken."
The Star contacted the school before they broke up for the holidays but Mr Cassidy declined to comment.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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