Teacher in school prom sex probe

Jun 25 2009

POLICE were this week probing claims that a woman teacher had sex with a teenager at a county school’s prom.

The Larkhall Academy teacher is accused of behaving inappropriately with the 16-year-old at the school’s senior prom.

Cops were called in following an internal investigation at the school.

About 166 senior pupils and staff members attended the bash at plush Airth Castle Hotel, near Falkirk, on Wednesday, June 10.

The teacher has also been accused of buying drink and drugs for pupils at the prom.

Sources claim the teacher was caught smoking ‘hash’ with pupils outside the hotel while the prom was taking place.

One insider said: “She was allegedly buying alcohol and drugs for pupils for the school prom.

“She was smoking hash with pupils outside the building.

“She allegedly had sex with one of the pupils.”

Another added: “The following day a complaint about the conduct of the teacher was made and an internal investigation began.

“The results of that inquiry were passed on to (South Lanarkshire Council) education department officials and police were called in.”

One concerned parent said: “If this is true then it’s an inappropriate and unacceptable way for any teacher to behave.

“The school does a lot of good work and there are a lot of good kids at the school, but it’s a shame when something like this spoils it.

“I am confident the school will take the appropriate measures in dealing with the issue.”

Hayden McFadden, chairman of the Academy’s Parent-Teacher Association, was only made aware of the alleged incident after being contacted by the Advertiser.

He said: “As the matter is now in the hands of the police, I would decline to comment at this stage.”

The woman at the centre of the allegations is listed on the ‘Rate My Teacher’ website.

She is described as an excellent teacher who makes her pupils work hard but treats them well.

The Academy’s website describes the prom as a ‘formal occasion, with full evening wear for all, and is celebrated in real style, maturity and enjoyment by all.’

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: “We cannot comment as this is a police matter.”

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that investigations are ongoing into the alleged inappropriate conduct of a female teacher from a school in South Lanarkshire involving a 16-year-old male pupil.”

Linzi Moore, secretary of the South Lanarkshire association of the teachers’ union, Educational Institute of Scotland, said the teacher at the centre of the probe was one of their members.

“This matter is in the hands of our legal department at the moment,” she added.