A SENIOR priest will be brought in to calm a feud between a village church school and its vicar.

And both sides in the battle at St George's church and school, Mossley, have been recommended to read a "business bible" to help bring peace to the troubled primary and vicarage.

The proposals are part of a 31-point plan which has been published in a bid to end the acrimony between the school and the adjoining church.

A three-month investigation into the relationship between school and parish priest was launched after the fifth headteacher resigned in just five years - blaming intolerable "interference" by Rev Richard Lindsay.

Headteacher Catherine Dobson, who was credited with turning round the failing school, resigned last November saying she could no longer face "constant battles" with Rev Lindsay, an unelected governor.

Mrs Dobson, who has now moved to another school in Tameside, is criticised in the report for poking fun at the local clergy in the school's Christmas pantomine.

Parents' protest

Parents collected an 80-name petition to protest about alleged interference by the vicar and called for him to resign.

It was claimed Rev Lindsay tried to impose a £16-a-week fee plus maintenance costs for teachers to use the church-owned car park behind the school building.

It was further claimed that he locked the church gates in the evening, effectively denying car access to the school for meetings and other out-of-hours events; and objected to the way religion was taught at the school - despite it complying with the syllabus set by the Diocese of Manchester.

Author of the report into the troubles, Rev Richard Lindley, education director for the Winchester Diocese, interviewed 60 people, including staff, parents and parish members.

He found a complete breakdown in communication between the school and church, citing confusion over the roles of the vicar and his wife Pauline in school business.

To resolve the conflict, Rev Lindley recommends regular meetings between church and school and that a senior priest be brought in to "mentor" Father Lindsay and the new headteacher for up to two years.

He also advised both sides to buy a copy of business bible "Understanding Organisations" by Charles Handy.

Rev Lindsay is on holiday and unavailable for comment, but church curate Pauline Phillips said the congregation is "100 per cent behind him" and he had "unfairly taken the blame".

In a statement, churchwardens at St George's said: "It is hoped all parties concerned will work for a way forward."

Tameside Council borough education officer Ian Smith, said: "The report contains a number or recommendations which should lead to significant improvements."

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