ALLEGATIONS of bullying and harassment of staff by a flagship school's new head teacher are being investigated, a union says.
Six nursery nurses are said to have lodged a collective grievance over their alleged treatment by Beverley Manor Nursery School's head teacher Brigid Johnstone.
Mrs Johnstone, who took over at the "outstanding" nursery school in September, has refused to comment.
The nursery nurses' complaints are being pursued by public sector union Unison, which says its six members have no confidence in the head teacher.
Syd Cunliffe, East Riding branch secretary of Unison, said: "We have been approached by our nursery nurse members at the school. We are giving them advice at the moment.
"They are pursuing a collective grievance for harassment and bullying by the head teacher."
Mr Cunliffe said his members are concerned about changes to terms and conditions, working practices and the head's attitude towards them.
He said: "We have not encountered this before, to see staff in a distressed state.
"They were quite traumatised, shaking and in tears. I know there are a number of staff off sick."
Mr Cunliffe said the school's chairman of governors is conducting an investigation into the grievances at the 135-pupil nursery, which has been rated outstanding five times in a row by Ofsted.
The union is calling for the investigation to be conducted quickly.
Mr Cunliffe said: "We are very concerned that this should be happening at the nursery, which has such a high reputation and is so highly regarded.
"What we don't want is for this to develop, if it gets to the stage where parents are contemplating removing their child from the nursery."
Chairman of governors Nicola Bailey, who is understood to be investigating the complaints, has refused to comment.
East Riding councillor Irene Charis, who is also a governor, said she was very alarmed to hear grievances had been lodged.
She said: "I think this is a new situation for the governing body, I don't think they have ever been in this position before but all the relevant local authority people are aware of what is going on."
Speaking ahead of a governors' meeting last Thursday, Cllr Charis said she was aware a collective grievance had been filed but she did not know the details.
She said: "A new head has come in, after having had a brilliant head for 20 years who has successfully steered it through five outstanding Ofsted inspections.
"I don't know if her plans are valid or not but obviously something is not right because we are at this point."
Cllr Charis added: "Something is wrong, it needs to be put right. I will be asking questions.
"They feel must feel they have a valid grievance.
"I don't think you take that lightly. I think it's quite a serious matter."
In a statement from East Riding Council said: "This is an internal matter which will be dealt with in the correct manner.
"All the children who attend Beverley Manor Nursery School will continue to receive the same high level of care and education."