Teacher allegations review call

Marge Evans described the experience as a "black hole"

A head teacher who was convicted and then cleared of slapping a pupil has urged changes in the way allegations against teachers are handled.

Marge Evans says teachers are automatically presumed to be guilty and have to fight to prove their innocence.

The Monmouthshire head teacher wants a balance between taking allegations seriously and protecting the innocent.

The Welsh Assembly Government is consulting on plans for independent advisors to help with allegations.

Five years ago Mrs Evans, the head of St Mary's Junior School in Caldicot, was convicted and later cleared of assaulting a 10-year-old boy.

One of the first people who should be interviewed is the person being accused Marjorie Evans

"The right is on the side of the child all the time, and the teacher or whoever works in the school are guilty and have to prove themselves innocent," she said.

"(Children) have far more power than they've ever had - I'm not saying children's complaints shouldn't be investigated - they should - but the way investigations take place disturb me.

"Because what happened to me could happen again."

Mrs Evans' ordeal began in September 1999 when a 10-year-old boy with attention deficit disorder accused her of slapping him during a confrontation.

Education chiefs suspended her from the job she had held for the previous 13 years.

In July 2000, she was convicted of assault, but said he had tried to punch and head butt her and was a danger.

Middle ground

Two months later Mrs Evans was cleared on appeal and reinstated as head teacher in March 2001.

In November 2004 the assembly government published guidelines for schools and governors on how to deal with allegations against teachers.

Mrs Evans, who retires this month after 35 years' teaching, said guidelines needed to be looked at.

We are contacted on a weekly basis by teachers who have concerns Rhys Williams, NUT

"There are good parts in the guidelines but we need to review them again, because things do change.

"If an allegation is made it's immediately (referred) to social services, immediately (referred) to the police, there are strategy committee meetings set up where the person being accused is excluded," she said.

"One of the first people who should be interviewed is the person being accused," she added.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has echoed Mrs Evans' plea for a "middle ground".

"Schools need to be safe for both children and teachers," said the NUT's Rhys Williams.

"In Marge Evans' case she was ultimately vindicated of the allegations... this would have destroyed a weaker person.

"We are contacted on a weekly basis by teachers who have concerns."

Mr Williams said that similar situations should be dealt with "robust common sense."

A spokesperson for the assembly government said that the guidelines would be reissued as statutory guidance in early 2006.