Union Backs Calls To Sue Over Pupil Lies

Wed, May 03, 2006

Source: Teaching Times

The National Association of Head Teachers is following the case of a Midland headteacher who is calling for schools to consider legal action against pupils who falsely accuse their staff of abuse.

The National Association of Head Teachers is following the case of a Midland headteacher who is calling for schools to consider legal action against pupils who falsely accuse their staff of abuse.
 
If the test case is successfully bought before the courts, it will set a legal precedent, helping deter parents and children from deliberately levelling malicious accusations at teachers in future.

At the NAHT annual conference, delegates backed a motion urging the union’s leaders to investigate how to sue pupils or their families. They demanded the option of taking legal action against a young adult, or a member of their family, who makes a provable malicious allegation against a member of the association.

The test case involves Corpus Christi Primary School in Wolverhampton, teachers are said to be victims of false allegations and have had to suffer public humiliation and the fear of losing their jobs.

Headteacher, Michael Murphy, said: "Child protection investigations need to continue. All allegations need to be followed up. But we must support those good people who do their best to support children and their communities but are thwarted by misguided or malicious individuals."

We must support those good people who do their best to support children and their communities but are thwarted by misguided or malicious individuals.
 
“Even when the Crown Prosecution Service throws a case out, that colleague is left to face the reprehensible outcome of an unproven and unnecessary allegation alone.

“The perpetrator walks away without accountability. This cannot be right. This cannot be fair. This cannot be just.”

Shadow Education Secretary, David Willetts, has tabled an amendment to the Government's Education Bill to give teachers more legal protection, including the right to anonymity when allegations are made.

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