Female teacher suspected of sexual assault on girl pupil at private school

By Calvin Palmer

A female teacher at a private girls’ school in London has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting one of the pupils.

Parents of children at the City of London School for Girls were notified of the incident by text messages and e-mails and advised to read a letter posted by head teacher Diana Vernon on the school’s intranet.

Vernon described the matter as an “inappropriate relationship”.

Police arrested the 26-year-old teacher earlier this week after being alerted by Vernon.

In the letter to parents, Vernon states: “I am contacting you to inform you that a member of staff has been arrested following investigations, conducted by the City of London Police, into an alleged, inappropriate relationship with one of our students.

“The member of staff concerned has been put under precautionary suspension from duty, pending further enquiries.

“The school takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding of children extremely seriously; we were proactive in reporting this allegation and have since been co-operating fully with the police and other authorities.

“As always, the well being of our students is our paramount concern.”

A spokesman for the City of London Police said: “A 26-year-old woman from South London was arrested on Monday on suspicion of sexual assault on a child.

“She has since been bailed, and enquiries continue.”

The City of London School for Girls was founded in 1894 and now has around 670 pupils aged from seven to 18. It is located in the Barbican in the heart of the city and charges £13,000-a-year ($21,500).

[Based on reports by The Daily Telegraph and The Times.]