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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Headteacher who claimed she had Covid caught flying to Turkey leaves £90k job on full pay

A headteacher who claimed she had Covid and was then snapped flying to Turkey by a pupil at the airport has finally left her role after an 18-month suspension - on full pay.

Alicia Reid, 54, was head at the Stranraer Academy, Wigtownshire, but has now left her £90,000 role after 18 months of suspension on full pay.

It comes after a pupil shared images of Ms Reid at Glasgow airport, appearing to be flying to Turkey on October 7, 2021 - having previously told bosses she was self-isolating after being notified as a close contact of someone with coronavirus.

The image showed what they claimed to be the headteacher in an airport queue.

The pupil captioned the image saying "Miss Reid is that you?".

A letter has now been sent to parents notifying them of her stepping down, reading: "For your information, Ms Alicia Reid has left employment.

Stranraer Academy Headteacher Alicia Reid in a mask during the Covid pandemic (Daily Record)
Alicia Reid, 54, was head at the Stranraer Academy, Wigtownshire, but has now left her £90,000 role (Daily Record)

"We thank Alicia for her contributions and wish her the best in her future endeavours"

The letter stated that a search for her replacement was under way but it failed to clarify if she had been fired or had quit with a pay-off, reports Mail Online.

During her alleged trip abroad, parents with children at the school had been told not to book holidays during term time.

The council confirmed at the time Ms Reid would 'not be in school for a period of time', pending an internal inquiry while her role was taken over by acting head Jamie Farquhar, who is still in post.

During her alleged trip abroad, parents with children at the school had been told not to book holidays during term time (Daily Record)

The council said it does not comment on 'matters relating to individual staff'.

A spokesman said: "The acting headteacher continues to provide leadership and management to the school with a focus on the needs of learners.

"Officers will be in contact with the chair of the parent council, with a view to recruiting and appointing to the post of headteacher at Stranraer Academy in due course."

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