The headteacher of a primary school in Sudbury has been suspended amid allegations of serious misconduct.

Uma Pandya as been removed from her post at Sudbury Primary School in Watford Road, while an investigation takes place.

However, staff are threatening to strike if she is reinstated.

Workers from the school attended a meeting on Monday where they gave a vote of no confidence in Ms Pandya during a secret ballot.

A total of 40 out of 43 voters called for her immediate removal from her post with the threat of industrial action if she is allowed back.

The school is currently being overseen by acting headteacher Kamini Mistry.

The Times understands that an officer from Brent Council and Bob Wharton, a former Lib Dem councillor and chair of governors, informed Ms Pandya of her suspension earlier this month.

The school converted to an academy in September 2012 meaning that the governing body is the admission authority for the school not Brent Council.

Union sources said they are “concerned that an attempt is being made to undermine the independent investigation report and the sequence of events that should flow from it.”

A source with links to the school, who asked to be anonymous, said: “The chair of governors instigated an independent inquiry because of the nature and frequency of complaints against her. That independent inquiry determined that she should be suspended pending further investigation. “It would be unusual to suspend a head without some significant grounds.”

Ofsted, the education watchdog, inspected the school last week and a report is imminent.

The school and the chair of governors have been contacted for a comment.