Teacher at St Paul's private school resigns following allegations of sexual abuse
A member of staff at St Paul's girls' school in London has resigned following claims of sexual abuse by former pupils, the Guardian has reported.
Posted on 24 November 2017
The prestigious independent girls school in Hammersmith confirmed to the Guardian that a teacher has resigned after former pupils had implicated him in sexual abuse allegations.
The allegations arose after the school contacted former pupils asking them to take part in a drama project for the school in relation to experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace, inspired by the #MeToo campaign.
The request prompted anger from some former pupils who claim that they, or their friends, had suffered abuse at the school and had raised it with the school when they were pupils.
The school then wrote to former pupils to confirm that they had received reports of sexual abuse at the school between the 1970s and the 1990s.
In a second letter the school confirmed that a teacher had resigned as a result of allegations. The school said they had referred the teacher in question to the “relevant statutory authorities so that his suitability to teach and work with children may be assessed”.
The school also said they had contacted the police but had been told there were no immediate plans to investigate the claims.
Head teacher Sarah Fletcher, said in the second letter to former pupils that the school was “treating every allegation brought to us very seriously, and are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate action is taken”.
Alison Millar, head of the abuse law team at law firm Leigh Day, said:
“I hope that following the brave actions of those who felt able to speak out about alleged abuse at St Paul’s Girls school, there is now a full and effective investigation by the relevant authorities.”