Cavendish School Administrator Convicted of Fraud
Chantal Duncan stole £20,000 from Chiswick primary's funds
Picture: Cavendish Primary School, Chiswick
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An administrator at a Chiswick primary has been convicted of stealing around £20,000 from school funds.
Chantal Duncan, who worked at Cavendish School, pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and false accounting at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday 30 October.
Due to the gravity of the offences, sentencing has been referred to Isleworth Crown Court where measures to recover losses from Miss Duncan will be considered.
She was convicted after what is described as a ‘long and complicated’ investigation lasting over a year.
A letter has been sent by the school to parents and carers informing them of the conviction.
The letter states, “We are very disappointed that Miss Duncan chose to abuse her position and the trust that the school placed in her. Unfortunately, the level of Miss Duncan’s deception, which also involved the falsification of financial documents and signatures, meant that her activities went undetected for several months. This included the time when the school was subject to an external financial audit in September 2018.
“Following a long and complicated investigation process which has taken almost a year to conclude, we are very relieved that Miss Duncan has finally been brought to justice. In addition to the police, we would like to thank those members of the governing body, staff and the school’s PTA who have helped to provide the necessary evidence to ensure Miss Duncan’s conviction.”
The letter goes on to say that the school was not found to be in anyway financially negligent and that a thorough review of all of procedures has since been carried out.
It concludes, “Miss Duncan’s theft of public money, intended to support the education of our children, could have undermined the hard work and support that we receive from our staff, governors and parents. However, we would like to assure you that the school remains financially secure and that the excellent education we provide for all our children, along with the exceptional work of all those involved in the school community, has not been compromised and will continue.”
Gary Murrell, Executive Headteacher at Cavendish Primary School said, "We are appalled that someone would deliberately steal public money which has been designated for the education of primary-aged children.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of our wonderful school community for their continued support and understanding and to emphasise the fact that the children, parents, staff and governors deserve so much more than to be treated in this way.
We have been determined to make sure that this issue did not distract us from our mission to provide the best possible education for our children and are proud that we have achieved our best ever academic results during this challenging time."
November 10, 2019
