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Back to School for Head Teacher

BELMONT Primary School head teacher Bill Burns will meet education officials this week to discuss his return to the school.

It is understood that the council will phase Mr Burns' return so he can be back in position soon after the school returns from the Christmas break - if he so wishes.

This week parents of pupils at the school voiced their delight at the news he could soon be back in place following his suspension last September amid historical allegations surrounding his private life.

The Free Press revealed last week that prosecutors had dropped any charges against the popular headteacher after studying the background to the allegations.

Now education officials at Dumfries and Galloway Council have arranged to meet Mr Burns to discuss his return to the school. A council spokesman said:

"We were pleased to hear that all charges had been dropped against Mr Burns since this is an endorsement of the view held by those who have known him and the work he has done in Stranraer over the years.

"Throughout this period, Mr Burns has remained as headteacher at Belmont Primary School and that situation remains today.

"We are meeting with Mr Burns this week in order to discuss how best we can manage his return to work."