The head of Eden Boys' School in Bolton has been suspended, according to reports from The Bolton News. Principal Arshad Ashraf was placed on leave earlier this year, specifically on January 6, when he received a formal notification at the conclusion of the school day.
Mr. Ashraf's suspension marks a significant moment for the school, which has achieved outstanding ratings and is managed by Star Academies. Since its establishment in 2014, Eden Boys' School has seen three different principals in just over a decade, highlighting some instability in leadership.
This suspension stems from allegations regarding Mr. Ashraf’s conduct during a disciplinary process, where he is accused of displaying aggressive behavior towards students and attempting to sway the investigation’s outcome. However, it’s important to note that his suspension does not imply any guilt; rather, it serves as a precautionary measure to facilitate a thorough investigation into these claims.
In an attempt to clarify the situation, The Bolton News reached out to Mr. Ashraf for comments, but he chose not to respond. Insiders have indicated that the disciplinary matter involves Mr. Ashraf’s refusal to take sides in a human resources inquiry. Reports suggest that he had sought a meeting with the school to discuss the situation, but that meeting has yet to take place.
The news of Mr. Ashraf's suspension has reportedly caused distress among staff and parents alike, with some expressing concern about his health. This concern is exacerbated by the fact that Mr. Ashraf underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2023. Furthermore, the allegations of aggression are said to be based on CCTV footage, which purportedly does not clearly show Mr. Ashraf's face, nor does it capture any audio. This lack of clarity raises questions about the validity of the accusations, as it becomes difficult to ascertain whether any aggressive or inappropriate language was actually used.
It remains uncertain whether all parents and staff were informed of Mr. Ashraf's suspension, which may have contributed to rising anxiety among some faculty members. Under Mr. Ashraf’s guidance, Eden Boys' School distinguished itself as one of the leading secondary institutions in Bolton, ranking fourth in the 2025 GCSE league tables based on various performance metrics, including average and passing grades.
Additionally, the school achieved the third-highest average English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) grades in Bolton in 2025, following only Bolton Muslim Girls School and the independent Bolton School girls’ division among the 35 schools analyzed.
A spokesperson for Star Academies declined to provide further comments, stating that they do not discuss individual employee matters, although they did contest the reasons behind Mr. Ashraf’s suspension.
As this situation develops, many are left pondering: What does this mean for the future of Eden Boys' School? Will this incident impact the school's reputation and academic performance? Share your thoughts below!
