CHEPSTOW School's governors will implement half of the recommendations made to them in an independent report commissioned by Monmouthshire council, the Argus can reveal.

Last July the authority commissioned a report following complaints made by staff involving allegations of “wrongdoing and malpractice and the effect this was having on the school’s budget and staff morale”.

A copy of the confidential and independent report, delivered by management consultant firm Reconstruct in December - and seen by the Argus - gave six recommendations.

Following consideration of the report governors concluded there was “no weight of evidence presented within it to warrant further investigation” over bullying allegations against the school’s head teacher Claire Price and chairman of governors Craig Bridgeman.

The report recommends further investigation.

They also agreed there was no need to take any further look at the school’s redundancy process. The recommends further investigation to establish its openness and fairness.

The governors said any financial implications surrounding recent redundancies at the school and its recruitment more widely are already monitored. The report recommends these need to be “better understood to ensure the drive to make savings”.

Last week the Argus reported how Mr Bridgeman insisted the school’s Monmouthshire council-approved deficit reduction plan was on track, despite it increasing to £399,926, from £388,687, since November. This was due to redundancy payments and “catch up” water charges, Monmouthshire council and Mr Bridgeman have confirmed.

Governors agreed there will be further investigation into how one instance of alleged cheating in an exam was dealt with, although the allegation was eventually withdrawn.

Staff will also be asked to participate in an anonymous questionnaire into the school’s culture.

Ms Price, the report found, “is passionate about the school and is demanding of the staff”.

Both Ms Price and Mr Bridgeman declined to comment.

The investigation was scheduled to be completed over three days but took over 25.

Report author Alastair Smith said that had been caused by four factors: “delays by [Ms Price] in responding to requests for information and making staff available for interview”; a reluctance of whistleblowers to come forward; a need for people to have reassurance about confidentiality and support from their unions, and “vast amounts of email communication”.

Further to the report, governors have suggested an independent outlet for staff concerns is set up, that staff should go through an exit interview on leaving the school, and that its values are reaffirmed.

Monmouthshire council’s chief executive Paul Matthews said: “I am pleased that the governing body at Chepstow School has followed its whistleblowing policy and given serious attention to assertions made by undisclosed individuals about processes in the school. I am content that the governing body has followed due process in line with their policy, although it is unfortunate that this matter has been placed into the public domain prior to the governing body having completed its work. It is my understanding that the committee appointed by the full governing body to oversee the whistleblowing allegations has determined that they do not consider the evidence presented substantiates the complaint made and in all but one area (where they have asked for some additional information) they have concluded that they will be taking no further action. Parents/carers can be assured that allegations have centred on style and procedure rather than anything to do with the welfare of students at the school. I expect the school to continue with its trajectory of improvement which sees it performing at the highest level in its history. We will be making no further comment.”