Update April 2016: John Martin and the other teacher involved returned to the school after it was found there had been no wrongdoing.

I read with interest your article in last weeks newspaper regarding the current position at Oldbury College of Sport and the suspended staff.

As the Headteacher of this school I drew exception to the description of the school currently being "rudderless" due to the temporary absence of some key members of staff.

I find it quite insulting to describe the school as rudderless ie directionless, aimless drifting with no evidence of purpose or goal. Whilst this is clearly an enormously challenging and difficult period for the school there can be little doubt that this will continue to be an excellent school (in fact described as an outstanding school by OFSTED less than five months ago), that has admirably risen to the challenge of the loss of a Senior member of staff, the Chair of Governors and myself over the past few months. As ever, the Leadership Team and the entire workforce continue to offer 100% commitment and endeavour and stubbornly refuse to stand still and have worked tirelessly to continue with the upward momentum of the school.

Despite the shortage of capacity, exciting appointments have been made, a £20m new build continues to progress without disruption to the quality of education offered and, importantly, the school continues its quest to secure more autonomy and independence from the Local Authority through its Academy conversion.

The forthcoming term will be a significant one as the Leadership Team and staff, both teaching and support, take advantage of the new opportunities on offer through its Academy status.

This years results will, I am confident, be our best ever and this is due to the care, attention to detail and high quality strategy that the school has adopted to ensure all students maximise their potential.

I for one am very proud to be associated with such a progressive and successful school, as I am sure governors, parents and students are too.

It is an absolute joy to be involved with such a wonderful group of professionals and the editorial of last week that suggests any lack of direction or sense of purpose completly fails to recognise the enormous talents and total dedication of those who I and we have left behind during the last term.

Oldbury Academy, as we shall be known in the near future, is worthy of a more balanced and accurate news story than we read about last week.

John Martin