by Gemma Constable

A head teacher who resigned from her school after a row over a
slaughtered lamb has a new role on the Isle of Sheppey.

Andrea Charman hit the headlines when she was head of Lydd primary school for pursuing the slaughter of Marcus the sheep back in September.

Last month she announced she was stepping down for 'personal reasons' but it is believed she succumbed to pressure after online campaigns attacked her.

Now she is working in an advisory role at West Minster Primary
school in Sheerness. She joined the school on Monday.

Executive head teacher Alan Bayford said: "We are very pleased
to welcome Andrea into the school as we would any colleague who
came into to give support. We see it as a very positive thing."

Mr Bayford would not be drawn on the sheep slaughter issue,
adding: "I am only interested in the support she can given the
school. I am not managing Andrea Charman so therefore I am not in a
position to comment on that. Any other issues are not related."

Mrs Charman insisted Marcus' fate was supported by the school
council and it had always been the intention to cull the lamb as
part of the children’s education over farming methods.

The anger over the decision to slaughter Marcus, who lived on the school farm, came from animal supporters around the world who logged onto Facebook and other websites to register their upset.

A spokesman for Kent County Council: "West Minster Primary School will benefit greatly from Andrea Charman’s experience, energy and enthusiasm. Mrs Charman will be working with the school’s executive head teacher to support the staff and help raise standards."