THE redevelopment of St Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole has been unalloyed good news for the 500 or pupils there.

The £10m scheme has transformed the school, at least in terms of the facilities it can offer - and also brings the hope that it can begin to attract more students. But for members of staff and in particular, the principal Cheryl Heron, the gloss has come off the scheme.

As we reveal today, the school has been scammed for over £1m due to be paid to the developers, in what appears to be a much larger organised crime operation. This blow will not make a challenging job any easier for them.