The headteacher of Abertillery Comprehensive School has been has been suspended on full pay, with an internal investigation pending.

It is still unclear why Pauline Thomas has been suspended and her union has emphasised that suspension is a 'neutral act'.

Blaenau Gwent Council officials would not reveal details behind the investigation, but stressed it was not over child protection issues.

Mrs Thomas is a member of the Association of School and College Leaders Cymru.

Gareth Jones, the union's secretary, said: 'I can confirm she is a member of the union and I would like to stress that a suspension is a neutral act and nothing more should be read into it than that.

'There are matters which are subject to procedure at the moment and I can say nothing more than that. The head teacher is a member of the ASCL Cymru and is not in school until matters are resolved.'

David Evans, secretary of NUT Cymru, said: 'We are awaiting developments with regards to the school and we have a holding interest on behalf of our members there.'

A spokeswoman for the council said: 'At this stage, the Authority is not prepared to disclose the nature of the investigation, as it believes this would compromise the fairness of any subsequent proceedings.

'However, it is confirmed that there are no child protection issues involved.

'The school will be open as usual and every effort will be made to ensure that pupils remain unaffected.'

The news has unsettled parents and grandparents.

A grandmother of a year seven child at the school says: 'I am very concerned with what is happening at the school.

'There are a lot of rumours but no one really knows what is going on.

'When my granddaughter started at the school we didn't realise there was anything like this going on.

'I am very dissatisfied and I am wondering which way this is going to go.'