I commend all students brave enough to speak out against teachers who have abused them physically or emotionally.
To those students who make up false allegations, I hope you realise what damage such a claim makes to the teacher and his/her family. Shame on you!
I hope William Stuart’s story serves as a reminder for such misguided and selfish students to think carefully about the implications of a false allegation:
After a 23-year unblemished career as a teacher, William Stuart was arrested six months ago and accused of assaulting a 15-year-old girl in a corridor at Graham School, Scarborough.
During the court case, magistrates heard that the girl and friends had smeared an iced bun over the wall of the school canteen. Mr Stuart, an assistant head teacher, had shouted at the group to remain in the dining hall to clean up but the girl refused and began to walk away.
It was then, according to the girl’s testimony, that a “really, really angry” Mr Stuart followed her and backed her up on to coat pegs before pushing her to the floor.
Mr Stuart’s account was very different. The girl barged into him several times and threw a punch as he tried to block her path.
On Thursday it became clear whose version the magistrates believed. Mr Stuart was acquitted with the full endorsement of the bench and to cheers from the packed court. His wife, Sarah, cried tears of relief that the family’s nightmare was finally over.
Whilst we must severely punish any teacher found dealing inappropriately with students we must also do everything we can to deter students from making erroneous claims against their teachers.
Mr Stuart was just doing his job. He did absolutely nothing wrong. Yet for 6 months he had lost everything.
Topical Teaching 