King's Lynn: Howard Junior head Gregory Hill suspended

Gregory Hill was approached by officers as he arrived at Howard Junior School, in King's Lynn, and says he was bundled to the ground and handcuffed in front of onlookers.

The high-profile head has since been released on bail, while the investigation continues but has been suspended from his post which he has held for 16 years.

Meanwhile education watchdog Ofsted has announced it has sent in officials to carry out an emergency inspection of the school.

Mr Hill, 47 and from Fakenham, denies the accusations - which relate to another adult - and has launched a complaint against the police.

Howard Junior School in King's Lynn (Image: Ian Burt)

He claims he was approached by two female officers in plain clothes after he turned up in his car for work on the morning of Monday, March 6.

They told him there were allegations that they needed to discuss with him.

He said that when he took out his mobile phone to begin filming them, it was taken off him.

More officers then came over and helped their colleagues to restrain him and take him away for questioning.

"It was at peak time, on the school premises, in front of children and parents," he said.

"I had a panic attack, I fell to the floor and curled up in a ball.

"They piled onto me, they said: 'Stand up, stand up.

"I said I couldn't, they put me on my back, I had handcuffs on, I couldn't breathe."

READ MORE: Howard Junior head and pupils speak to Prince and Princess of Wales at Sandringham

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Howard Junior School headteacher Gregory Hill (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Hill, who suffers from asthma, said he passed out during his arrest and came round in a police van.

He said he was then held for 15 hours, during which he was only given "two mouthfuls of food" before being released without being charged.

He said while he was being held in custody officers searched the house in Fakenham where he lives with his 77-year-old disabled mother, Linda, for whom he is the main carer.

He said she was shocked to find two women she did not know standing in the hallway after they let themselves into the property using his keys without knocking on the door.

Mr Hill said he has now lodged a formal complaint against Norfolk police.

He claims he suffered tissue damage to his wrists, bruising to his face and arms,  and concussion while officers were arresting him.

He said he needed to wear a splint to support one of his injured wrists and his GP had diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It's ridiculous," he said. "I've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression because of this. I've been signed off sick.

"It's just a total mess. I've worked hard for 16 years to build up that school and now it's all in limbo."

In his time at the school, Mr Hill has given it a high profile.

He renamed it Harry Kane Junior School after the England captain during the recent World Cup in Qatar.

He said the change would be permanent if England won the tournament, while Mr Kane said he would visit it if the Three Lions lifted the trophy.

The school also made headlines around the world after Mr Hill and pupils spoke to the Prince and Princess of Wales, when they visited Sandringham last September to see flowers and tributes which had been left at the gates after the death of the Queen.

The Princess comforted an eight-year-old student as she laid a toy corgi.

Norfolk police said: "We can confirm a complaint has been received following the arrest of a man in Gaywood on March 6.

"The man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of a stalking offence as well as restricting or obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty."

Mr Hill has been bailed until May 10.