Published Friday, 31 August 2012
Dr Scott was suspended from the school after a damning report in 2010. (© Pacemaker)
Dr Annabel Scott has been advised to stay away from Crumlin Integrated College while police officers investigate the anonymous threat sent by email earlier this month.
Dr Scott returned to work in the school in June after serving a suspension prompted by a damning inspection report two years ago.
Her reinstatement to the principal's role was met with protests by some parents.
Dr Scott and staff at the school were only made aware of of the threat when they returned to school for the release of the GCSE results last week.
The board of governors at Crumlin Integrated College has sent a letter to all parents to inform them that steps being taken to protect the safety of pupils and staff.
Chairman Stanley Smith said: "I condemn in the strongest terms this anonymous threat against our principal and would wish to reassure the whole school community that we are working with the PSNI and North Eastern Board to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
"I would like to confirm that there has been no threat to the wider college community."
Stormont Education Minister John O'Dowd has condemned the threat.
"I utterly condemn this threat against a staff member in a local school," he said.
"This is absolutely unacceptable and causes great distress to the individual concerned and the wider school community. The teachers in our schools help shape the lives of our young people and the fact that a member of staff has been threatened in this manner is reprehensible.
"I note that the PSNI is investigating the matter and has been working with the North Eastern Education and Library Board and the Board of Governors to ensure steps are taken to minimise the risk to any individual."
"I hope that the perpetrator is tracked down as a matter of urgency and I would encourage anyone with relevant information to take it to the PSNI."
The Department for Education initiated a formal intervention at the school in February 2010 when inspectors found standards to be unsatisfactory and cited concerns over management and leadership standards.
Dr Scott was temporarily removed from the top post to undergo additional training and subsequently officially suspended while the board of governors investigated disciplinary claims arising from the report.
Dr Scott returned to work in June after issues were resolved.
The school remains in formal intervention pending another inspection.
Ulster Unionist MLA and Vice Chair of the Education Committee, Danny Kinahan said any concerns from the report "could never justify a death threat against any member of the teaching staff".
"I understand that the Inspectorate report may have given rise to concerns amongst some people over the quality of teaching in the school, but that could never justify a death threat against any member of the teaching staff," the South Antrim MLA said.
"More broadly, Crumlin is a town were members of all political persuasions and religious beliefs have always lived together but sadly it appears there is a small, anonymous element who seem intent on exploiting community divisions.
"It is vital that we have a robust schools inspection system, but it is equally important that parents, teachers and principals all have faith in it."