Our story about worried mothers pulling their children out of a New Eltham school where convicted sex offender Stuart Kerner’s wife is acting headteacher has provoked a strong reaction. Do you agree with the mums' actions?

Katherine Kerner was appointed to the role at Wyborne Primary School at the end of the Christmas term, but has been placed on "enforced leave" while Greenwich Council considers whether or not she should be banned from working with children.

The Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 state there are grounds to disqualify any person from working with children aged under eight, if they are living with someone who is also banned.

Former Bexleyheath Academy vice principal Stuart Kerner has been barred for life from working with children and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely after he was convicted of having an affair with a 16-year-old pupil.

Kerner avoided jail when Judge Joanna Greenberg QC sentenced him on January 14 to an 18-month suspended prison term, saying it was the father-of-one Kerner who had in fact been "groomed" by his teenage victim.

Mrs Kerner has stood by her husband, with whom she shares a home in Russett Close, Aylesford, throughout his trial and wept when he was spared prison during the hearing at Inner London Crown Court.

News Shopper:

Katherine Kerner (left) with her husband Stuart outside Inner London Crown Court (image by National Pictures/Nick Edwards)

Wyborne Primary parent Pearl Louge, 23, has applied for a transfer to another school for her daughter, six-year-old Remi-Leigh Louge, because she does not want her around Mrs Kerner.

The full-time mum told News Shopper: "I don’t feel Mrs Kerner should be left to be working around children and she should not be allowed back at the school.

"What kind of message would it send out to keep her on?"

Mrs Louge, of Beaverbank Road, Eltham, added: "I was shocked when I heard what the judge had said.

"I don’t believe that Mr Kerner was groomed and I think it’s a cop out to say he was.

"It was made out that the victim was coming on to him for a long time and that he never actually did anything until she was 16 but even if that was the case it would not make it right."

Charlotte Carter, 24, is looking to withdraw her son Frankee, five, from the Footscray Road school, as she says he has been badly affected by the fact his class teacher Gillian Efford has now had to take over as acting head.

News Shopper:

Mrs Kerner has been placed on "enforced leave" from Wyborne Primary

Miss Carter, of Sidcup Road, New Eltham, said: "Mrs Kerner should definitely not have been promoted to headteacher when she’s living with a person who’s been found guilty of sleeping with a pupil.

"I’m training to be a teaching assistant so I know anybody who lives with someone who has abused a young person should not be allowed to work with children."

Defending Stuart Kerner at his sentencing, Edward Ellis said: "Mrs Kerner herself is on enforced leave.

"It is highly likely she will have her position reviewed quite closely."

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "Safeguarding of children is a priority for us at all times and all staff working in our schools are subject to full safeguarding checks in line with legislation and Ofsted guidance.

"It would not be appropriate to comment on employment issues relating to any individual member of staff."

Catch up on News Shopper's coverage of the Stuart Kerner trial here.