Exclusive:Sheffield headteacher accused of bullying says it's 'hard' to listen to accounts of her snapping at teachers

A Sheffield head accused of bullying her staff and “treating teachers like children” says it has been “very hard” to listen to witnesses’ accounts of her.

A professional conduct hearing is underway for former headteacher of Abbey Lane Primary School, Maxine Stafford.

Former staff allege Ms Stafford bullied them, “threatened” teachers with disciplinary action and failed to act over inappropriate and violent behaviour by some students.

On the first day of the professional conduct hearing by the Teaching Regulation Agency on Monday (April 20), former teachers told the panel of incidents in 2022, including a “horrible meeting” where she reportedly shouted at staff over teaching standards.

A tearful member of staff said: “That was a horrible meeting... Ms Stafford was very cross. She treated us like children and was shouting at us.

“We were not given the opportunity to say anything. She made her position very clear and asked us to leave when she said what she needed to say.

“I’ve never been treated like that.”

They were one of three teachers to tell the panel of incidents where Ms Stafford allegedly lost her temper.

Speaking in her defence today (April 22), Ms Stafford said it has been “very hard” to hear staff members’ accounts of her.

“It’s been difficult,” the former headteacher said.

“Teaching is a vocation as much as a profession. I know it’s like a cliche but it’s true. And I’ve always been very passionate about making a difference in children’s lives.

“It’s really hard to hear people’s perceptions of what you do and who you are, and what you’ve done.

“It has been more difficult than I expected to hear [from the witnesses, her former staff]. It’s been three years since I’ve seen those people.

“To hear them and to see them again, and hearing their perceptions about me, it was really hard.

“I don’t like seeing them upset, and they often got upset while speaking. I don’t like seeing them upset.”

When asked about the “horrible” meeting, which followed a critical inspection of teaching standards for one of the key stages, Ms Stafford said: “I think my mood in that meeting was more one of disbelief.

“At that point, I shouldn’t have had that meeting or continued that conversation... [The teachers] were visibly upset, they looked like they thought they were about to lose their jobs.

“In hindsight, I shouldn’t have had that conversation. I didn’t take fully into account how they would receive it.”

When asked if she was “shouting” at staff, Ms Stafford said: “I don’t believe I was.”

One teacher’s account of the meeting was that they had been abruptly moved from one Key Stage to another during the summer and felt unprepared to teach the curriculum, leading to a scathing inspection outcome.

Ms Stafford denies the charges of unprofessional behaviour, bullying, putting staff in harm’s way, and failing to act over pupil behaviour.

Ms Stafford accepts many of the charges happened but have been reported out of context.

The hearing is expected to conclude on April 28.