At least 959 teachers and school staff in the UK have been accused of having a relationship with a pupil over the past five years, according to figures obtained by the BBC. A Freedom of Information request sent to over 200 local authorities revealed that in at least 254 cases, police charges were brought, though it remains unclear how many led to prosecution or conviction.
The data, covering state schools between 2008 and 2013, was provided by 137 councils. However, 42 councils either did not hold the statistics or could not release them due to cost or data protection laws. Many authorities noted that schools had outsourced HR to private firms, and they have no control over academies, which now represent around 50% of secondary schools.
One victim, Ella, described how her teacher began offering one-to-one lessons when she was 15. She said the relationship escalated from kissing to sexual activity, with the teacher pressuring her by claiming it was how adults proved love. The teacher was later sentenced to 12 years in prison for rape and indecent assault after another victim came forward.
Teaching unions have expressed concern over both the abuse of trust and the impact of false accusations. Christine Blower of the NUT stated, 'There can be misunderstandings and malicious allegations are made, so it is critical that investigations are carried out quickly with due process.' Dr Mary Bousted of the ATL added that school leaders often panic, leading to suspensions that are not neutral in perception.
David, a teacher falsely accused of groping pupils, was suspended immediately and charged, but later cleared of all counts. He said the school prioritised its reputation over investigation. Chris Keates of the NASUWT warned against presenting statistics that imply widespread abuse, stressing that while allegations must be investigated, it is wrong to suggest abuse is rampant.
