Former St Albans head faces fraud investigation

THE former head of a St Albans secondary school has been arrested over allegations of a �500,000 expenses fraud. Paul Patrick, 53, who is currently head of Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford, was head of Nicholas Breakspear School in Colney Heath Lane f

THE former head of a St Albans secondary school has been arrested over allegations of a �500,000 expenses fraud.

Paul Patrick, 53, who is currently head of Cardinal Wiseman School in Greenford, was head of Nicholas Breakspear School in Colney Heath Lane from 1993 to 1997.

He left to take up the headship of the Greenford School where he has now been suspended for "possible administrative irregularities," according to the chair of governors, Maggie Pound.

The allegations surround a school exchange trip to Cuba organised by Mr Patrick who recently returned from a sabbatical in Havana where he worked in a school.

He was arrested at his home in Southgate, North London, and has since been bailed.

Mr Patrick is credited by Ofsted for turning Cardinal Wiseman into one of the highest-achieving schools in London since he took over 12 years ago.