GTC RESPONDS TO NAHT REPORT ON UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS AGAINST TEACHERS

4 May 2007

Commenting on the report by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) “Guilty by Accusation” published today, Friday 4 May 2007, Keith Bartley, Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for England (GTC) says:

“I have huge sympathy for all teachers facing an unfounded or vexatious allegation of misconduct or abuse. I strongly support Mick Brooke’s statement this morning that everyone’s primary concern must be the safety and protection of children but I also feel that these allegations could and should be dealt with more fairly and effectively.

“The public interest does not require that the teacher or head teacher be named at the point when an allegation is first raised. That should wait until the point that an adult is actually charged with an offence. I also think that more should be done to challenge those who make false accusations, because they currently face no consequences for the distress and anxiety they bring down on a teacher and on the whole school.”

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