Cidari Multi Academy Trust took over the running of South Shore Academy where ‘wicked’ killer Varley worked as a Textiles teacher and head of year.
Following his arrest in 2023, Varley, who had been in the process of adopting the little boy with his now ex-partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, was suspended in July 2023 and remained on full pay until his dismissal in August 2025.
Matt McIver, Chief Operating Officer, Cidari Multi Academy Trust, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Preston Davey and all those affected by this profoundly distressing case.
“It is important to clarify that the charges against Jamie Varley related to a period in 2023, prior to South Shore Academy joining Cidari Multi Academy Trust.
“Mr. Varley was immediately suspended by the previous leadership at the time of his arrest, and remained suspended throughout the transfer of the school to our Trust until his dismissal in August 2025.”
Lancashire Police began investigating what happened to Preston after they were called by medics to Blackpool Victoria Hospital to the sudden and unexpected death of a child on July 27, 2023.
They arrived at the hospital to discover a theatrical Varley screaming and shouting and refusing to accept baby Preston had passed away.
Jurors at Preston Crown Court had heard doctors had to be firm and force Varley to move away from the baby’s lifeless body when he attempted to resuscitate him after his death.
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After months of vetting by Adoption Now, an agency working alongside Oldham Council to find placements for children in the council’s care, he was placed for adoption with the couple at their home in Staining Road, Staining.
But less than four months later and before the adoption could be formalised by the courts, he was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital in cardiac arrest and despite the best efforts of medics sadly passed away on July 27, 2023.
A post mortem examination confirmed he had suffered 40 trauma injuries, internally and externally, including tears and lacerations, with “in excess” of 30 ‘non-accidential’ bruises across his body.
Varley tried to explain away Preston’s death by claiming he had momentarily left him unattended in a bath. But officers could find no evidence of drowning.
Speaking after Varley was unanimously convicted by a jury at Preston Crown Court, Mr McIver said: “Throughout this time, and during the trial, specialist support has been offered to all those in our school community affected by this case.
“We can confirm that no children at the school (past or present) have been part of the investigation or involved in any way.
“He has had no access to the school premises, nor any contact with pupils or staff, during Cidari’s tenure.”
When asked in 2025 if Varley had been suspended on full pay during his suspension, Mr McIver said: “Jamie was suspended on full pay as we are legally obliged to do.”
Yesterday, 37-year-old Varley, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh and formerly of Staining Road, Staining was convicted of the murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey after a six week trial at Preston Crown Court.
He was also found guilty of two counts of assault by penetration, five counts of cruelty to a child, grievous bodily harm, sexual assault of a child, 13 counts of taking indecent photos or videos of a child, one of distributing an indecent photo of a child, to his co-accused, and one of making an indecent photo.
His ex-partner John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, also of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh and formerly of Staining Road, Staining was found guilty of allowing the death of a child, three counts of child cruelty and one count of the sexual assault of a child.
The pair will now be sentenced on Thursday.