THREE more teachers and a teaching assistant have been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation at a special needs school, Swindon Council has admitted.

In October last year the headteacher of Nyland Special School and three colleagues were suspended over allegations about staff restraining students – although one of those three has since returned to work.

A further four staff members have since been suspended while the investigation continues.

Paddy Bradley, Swindon Council’s director of schools and learning, said: “This is a complicated investigation which takes time to follow through to do justice to all parties.

“We are seeking a resolution and will keep pursuing this until we find one.”

The latest suspensions occurred between May and June but the council only revealed them last week.

Like headteacher Paul Sunners and two of the three staff who were originally suspended, the latest suspended staff have been receiving full pay while off work.

All of the suspended employees will find out if they still have their jobs by September.

A 32-year-old mother removed her son from the school earlier this year after claiming she was worried by what she saw there.

She said: “Until the hearings of Mr Sunners and his staff are held, Nyland cannot move onwards and upwards as permanent staff can not be put in place until an outcome is realised.

“This is having a negative effect on the remaining children at Nyland, as the children have social and emotional difficulties. They need consistent and continuous attention from permanent teachers that have a long-term vision for the school.

The school cannot move on until the investigations have been completed.”

The NSPCC is also currently investigating the school, which has moved some pupils to mainstream primaries temporarily.

Figures obtained by the Advertiser under the Freedom of Information Act show Mr Sunners has been paid between £31,000 and £47,000 over the nine months he has been suspended.

The other suspended Nyland employees are being paid between £1,700 to £2,900 per month.

The school in Nythe has employed six agency staff to teach the five-to-11-year-olds who have behavioural and emotional troubles. A new headteacher, Stephen Luke, has been seconded to the school.

A Swindon Council spokeswoman would not confirm the names of those suspended.

She said: “An investigation into allegations against staff at Nyland School, and further issues that have come to light since investigations started, has resulted in eight staff being suspended to date.

“Out of these, one is no longer suspended and has returned to work, three more have faced or are due to face disciplinary hearings, and a further four staff are being investigated and may face disciplinary action.

“At this time we cannot summarise why these individuals have been suspended or face disciplinary action because of the ongoing investigation.

“We can confirm that some new staff will be in place when pupils return to the school in September, under the direction of a new temporary executive headteacher.”