AN investigation into allegations of bullying, truancy and unruly behaviour at a pioneering school has been completed, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Karen Pemberton was suspended as headteacher of Eastbourne School, in Darlington, in early May after an audit report highlighted serious problems.

Borough council chiefs launched an immediate inquiry into "concerns around the management of the school" as a result of the report.

Ms Pemberton's fate could be decided within a matter of weeks, as the council is now preparing its recommendations for the school's governing body.

Those recommendations are expected to be considered early next month and a final decision made afterwards.

The school made national headlines in 2003 when it became part of the Government's first federation of schools, working alongside Hurworth School.

The project, supported by £2m of Government funding, was heralded as a trailblazing scheme that could shape the future of education.

Eastbourne came out of the special measures category previously imposed on it by Ofsted inspectors and both schools went on to achieve record GCSE results.

But the audit report, based on an inspection carried out this April, said that pupils feared being attacked, there were concerns about bullying and truancy, and some teachers were frightened by youngsters.

Retaining staff was also said to be a major problem.

Chairman of governors Councillor Veronica Copeland welcomed the end of the inves-tigation.

The matter is likely to be referred to a committee of governors and Ms Pemberton would have the right to appeal against any outcome.

Coun Copeland said: "We are just as anxious to get the whole matter settled as I am sure Ms Pemberton is, as it has been going on for some time.

"We had hoped it would all be sorted out before the end of term, because we would have liked to have had a fresh start in September either way, but unfortunately that's not been possible."