ISSUE NO. 1628
15 - 21 September 2016
COSTA DEL SOL
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
College head denies fraud By Simon Firth The headteacher of a bankrupt sixth form college which went bust leaving some parents claiming they are owed nearly €30,000, has pledged to return their money. The European Sixth Form College (ESFC) in Mijas Costa folded just before the start of the new academic year. Its headteacher, Debbie Campbell, has issued an exclusive statement to EWN defending her actions and saying “under no circumstances has this situation arrived due to tax fraud or embezzlement.” Ms Campbell has been accused of failing to send in the exam papers sat by GCSE and A-level students leaving some, it is claimed, with no results or grades and unable to take up university places in the UK and Spain. The EWN has been told about 12 students who have been unable to present any Alevel results. But Ms Campbell has insist-
ed the papers were sent off to UK-based examination boards although she admits they were dispatched late. “The release of these results is pending investigation which I have facilitated willingly and co-operated fully,” she says. In her statement Ms Campbell claims she has “had daily contact with the examination boards and many parents. “It is my hope that all results are released to ensure that all students that have worked hard are rewarded for their success,” she said. This situation came about, she admits, as a result of her negligence during a period of ill health and “attempting to carry on when I should have stepped
down.” But she takes full responsibility as the “late” director of ESFC, she said. The college’s financial health was undermined by a number of factors including the inability of some parents to pay the fees. “This is of course poor management; however I would like to say the ESFC was not about money but giving all the right to an education. This ethos has sadly let us all down in the end.” To read Ms Campbell’s statement in full turn to page 4.
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