Anxious parents want to know why a grammar school head teacher has been suspended.

Education chiefs and school governors won’t say what prompted them to bar Marling School head Roger Lock from the Stroud boys’ school and launch an investigation.

Deputy head Alyson Mills was put in temporary charge on Thursday.

"He is not in school at the moment," she said yesterday.

"I have been asked to continue as acting head and keep the school moving.

"I took over as acting head yesterday. A letter has been sent out to parents."

The Citizen understands Mr Lock’s suspension is linked to an employment matter, and is not connected to pupils.

The letter to parents was sent home with pupils on Wednesday, and mums and dads want to know why an apparent veil of secrecy surrounds the matter.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said: "I was really grateful to Mr Lock because he let my son into the school by the skin of his teeth.

"When I have met him at parent meetings he seemed very competent and authoritative so it’s a bit of a mystery.

"I know that the Ofsted report was not very good and I was surprised by that because I thought it would be better.

"But I am very happy with the school and I just hope that his sudden departure with no explanation does not disrupt the school.

"I think the parents have a right to know and deserve an explanation."

Another said: "My main frustration with the school is communication with parents and when they do communicate, there is no clarity. This is another example of that.

"Fundamentally I am happy with the school and what my son is achieving but not with some of the politics which seem to be going on."

Chairman of the governors, Neil Carmichael, refused to elaborate on the situation.

"He is not going to be at the school until further notice,” said Mr Carmichael.

"Alyson Mills has been made acting deputy head teacher."

Mr Carmichael, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Stroud, was made chairman of the governors in July, after an Ofsted inspection found its governance was "inadequate".

A former deputy head of the Cainscross Road school, Mr Lock became acting head in 2001, following the death of head teacher Dr Graham Lowe.

His position was made permanent soon after.

Last month he expelled two pupils after a teacher found cannabis on one of them, a 13-year-old in year nine.

Mr Lock accompanied pupils on a trip to China during half term and was completing a move back into his home at Brimpsfield after it was almost destroyed by fire around a year ago.

A Gloucestershire County Council spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that the governing body of Marling School has suspended the head teacher.

"The suspension is without prejudice while investigations are carried out.

"Parents have been informed and arrangements have been made to ensure the school operates as normal with an acting head in place."

Mr Lock could not be reached for comment yesterday.