EXCLUSIVE: Probe into Highland teacher’s ‘inappropriate behaviour’ to teenage girl unearths litany of staff ‘failings’ as council upholds complaints
This article was amended to correct the following statement: “I am sorry for the distress caused by the actions of [deputy head teacher]". It now reads: “I am sorry for the distress caused by the actions of [Teacher A]". We apologise for this error and any distress caused.
The “inappropriate behaviour” of one teacher towards a female pupil has unearthed a litany of “failings” at a Highland school.
As pupils return to schools across the north this week, Highland Council’s highest education official has issued multiple apologies.
• EXCLUSIVE: Council 'sorry' for Highland teacher’s 'inappropriate behaviour' towards girl (15)
It comes after a teenage girl was left with little option but to leave school.
Further investigation has led to the council’s assistant chief executive of people Kate Lackie, whose remit includes education, apologising after acknowledging the pupil felt that she was treated in a hostile manner at the school which escalated into the local community, impacting her further.
“I am very sorry for the understandable distress that this has caused to you and your family,” she said.
The local authority first apologised in March following a lengthy investigation. It came after Teacher A – whose name we are withholding – was found to have “behaved in an unprofessional and inappropriate manner in class” towards the female pupil.
We revealed that the pupil, who was aged between 15 and 16, at the time of the behaviour had felt unsettled over uncomfortable closeness including touching her hair and an attempt to give her a present.
Now it has emerged that during the investigation into Teacher A’s behaviour the council, the probe spread to other members of staff.
Staff appear to have rallied to the cause of their colleague with one even allegedly acting in a hostile manner to the female pupil and allegedly threatening others with legal action if they discussed the claims.
The girl’s family submitted multiple complaints going back to April 2023 and information, as well as names known to Highland News and Media, was held back pending investigation by the council.
All along, multiple sources concerned about the goings-on at the school maintained that there were problems within a group of staff members and among them some behaviour fell far below the expected standards.
The parents’ complaint led to the council apologising again for what the pupil had experienced, admitting the failings in part led to her early departure from the school.
The family’s complaint stated: “[Deputy head teacher] acted in an unprofessional way which fell below the standards expected by the GTCS Code of Conduct and in particular with reference to sections 2.6.”
That clause in the code of conduct states teachers “must raise any concerns which you may have about the behaviour of any colleague in connection with a child or protected adult, using the appropriate procedures in place”.
The complaint continued: “She also failed in her duty of care to keep our daughter safe and to support her during a period of vulnerability at school and in feeling able to continue with her education.”
Ms Lackie said: “The concerns and complaint you have raised in relation to [the deputy head teacher] have been investigated and dealt with through HR processes and as part of your original complaint, which was upheld.
“Mr Martin [Derek Martin, the council's area education and learning manager] stated in his original complaint response to you that he was sorry that suitable and robust arrangements were not effectively put in place at school.
“I am sorry for the distress caused by the actions of [Teacher A] and the need for school management to reflect on their support for pupils as their primary concern.
“In responding to your complaint, Mr Martin was representing the education authority and I repeat that apology.”
Ms Lackie concluded: “In consideration of the above this part of your complaint is upheld. The Highland Council sincerely apologises for this failing.”
The now retired deputy head teacher told the Courier: “The truth of the matter is that I was indeed suspended while my conduct was investigated by the local authority and the outcome was that I returned to work in June with no disciplinary action taken whatsoever”.
The council upheld the complaint against Teacher B, who The Inverness Courier was earlier informed had allegedly threatened pupils with legal action if they repeated the claims made by the girl against Teacher A.
The family’s complaint stated: “[Teacher B] has behaved in a completely inappropriate and unprofessional manner in the classroom and outside of school.
“[Teacher B] has attempted to influence the investigation [into Teacher A] by using threatening behaviour and has caused distress and harm to our family outside of the school. She showed no duty of care to our daughter and treated her in a hostile manner.”
Ms Lackie said: “I apologise sincerely that your daughter felt that she was treated in a hostile manner at the school by a member of staff and that these events further escalated into the local community and impacted on her from there.
“Please be assured that this matter has been addressed and followed up separately. I am very sorry for the understandable distress that this has caused to you and your family.”
She added: “Highland Council sincerely apologises for this failing”.
Ms Lackie also acknowledged the part that the school, its response to the complaint and lack of intervention led to a young person losing out on part of their education.
She said: “I accept that the school should have provided support to [pupil’s name redacted], including in her considerations about her continuing education, and I apologise for this failing.”
