Teacher-Pupil Relationship at Centre of Fresh Methody Probe

By Kathryn Torney

A SECOND allegation of a relationship between a pupil and a teacher working at a leading Belfast grammar school has been confirmed by the Department of Education, it was revealed yesterday.

Just yesterday, the Telegraph revealed that a teacher had been sacked from Methodist College because of an alleged relationship with a female pupil.

It has now emerged that a peripatetic teacher involved in a relationship with another teenage girl – in an entirely separate case – is also no longer working at the school.

It is understood that the man is still in a relationship with this teenager. An on-going police probe has included an examination of the man and girl’s computers and mobile phones.

Two separate statements were issued to the Telegraph by the school principal Scott Naismith.

He said: “A member of the college’s staff’s contract was terminated on 30th June, 2008. This followed from a regrettable situation which required a formal disciplinary investigation to be carried out.”

In relation to the second case, he said: “The college was made aware of the development of a relationship involving a peripatetic teacher and a pupil. The situation was dealt with following the college’s disciplinary procedures and the individual concerned is no longer at the college.”

The head teacher added that all relevant bodies have been informed about both cases.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “We have been made aware that a teacher from Methodist College Belfast has been dismissed on the grounds of gross misconduct following breaches of the school’s child protection policy. The school has correctly pursued the matter under its disciplinary procedures and the department has been informed.”

In relation to the second case, the spokesman said: “We are aware that a peripatetic teacher who was working at Methodist College during the last academic year has been suspended on a precautionary basis following receipt of a formal complaint from the parents of a pupil. The school has correctly pursued the matter under its disciplinary procedures and the Belfast Education and Library Board and the department have been informed.”

Originally published by Kathryn Torney Education correspondent ktorney@belfasttelegraph.co.uk.

(c) 2008 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.