Two people have been arrested in connection with a major probe into alleged financial irregularities at a Birmingham secondary school.

The two, a 30-year-old man and a woman, aged 53, are believed to be senior members of the non-teaching staff at Stockland Green Technology College in Slade Road, Erdington.

It is understand the man resigned from the school, which has been the subject of an audit investigation by Birmingham City Council for several months, while the woman was suspended.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: “A 30-year-old male and a 53-year-old female have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

“Both have been bailed pending further inquiries.”

The spokeswoman said the investigation was still in its early stages and police were unable to give any more details.

But a source close to the school said it was believed the audit, and subsequent police investigation, were launched after sums in the region of £250,000 to £500,000 became unaccounted for.

It is also understood that the investigations include claims of large sums of school money being spent on personal goods and certain members of staff being paid substantial salary increases.

One of the arrested people is believed to be involved in finance and the other in IT.

A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said the audit report had now been completed at Stockland Green Technology College.

But he added: “We are not in a position to release it because there is a disciplinary hearing pending and also a criminal investigation. While they are ongoing, we are not able to release anything that might prejudice these two things.”