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Aware of Head Teacher and Teacher affair

680 replies

GlitterGold7 · 08/07/2025 12:06

Name changed for this. I’ve become aware that the HT of my DC’s primary school is having an affair with one of the teachers. Both are married.

Would you do anything with this information? It feels utterly morally bankrupt that the HT is abusing his position like this, and I feel so sorry for the partners involved.

OP posts:
Didimum · 09/07/2025 10:13

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 10:12

That wouldn't meet threshold for SS action. What would happen is that FIS might be involved which are not SS. FIS are usually involved if someone is neglecting their child and not caring properly for them.

Edited

It was the SS and they did take action. I know because I was told by a person directly involved with the family in question.

It doesn’t concern me whether you believe this to be true or not, because it is.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 10:12

Didimum · 09/07/2025 10:09

I reported concerns someone had about caretaking of a child. Abuse was not witnessed. Actions that could indicate inadequate caretaking were witnessed.

SS assessed these concerns and took appropriate action.

I am not going to detail the concern here as it’s sensitive information, but did not involve direct, witnessed abuse.

Should the person who saw the teachers at the hotel saw them kissing or touching inappropriately then that is an equivalent. You do not know whether this was the case.

Edited

That wouldn't meet threshold for SS action. What would happen is that FIS might be involved which are not SS. FIS are usually involved if someone is neglecting their child and not caring properly for them.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 10:09

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 10:06

So you reported someone for being in the same place as a child as being child abuse?

Or you reported actual abuse being seen?

Must've been serious for them to act. They do not act on a child being hit for example. That wouldn't meet threshold for SS intervention so what you reported was a serious bit of evidence.

Of which being at a hotel is not evidence at all.

Edited

I reported concerns someone had about caretaking of a child. Abuse was not witnessed. Actions that could indicate inadequate caretaking were witnessed.

SS assessed these concerns and took appropriate action.

I am not going to detail the concern here as it’s sensitive information, but did not involve direct, witnessed abuse.

Should the person who saw the teachers at the hotel saw them kissing or touching inappropriately then that is an equivalent. You do not know whether this was the case.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 10:06

Didimum · 09/07/2025 10:03

We do not know what the OP knows. Full stop. The only discussion at play is whether OP is within her rights to report her concerns through correct channels – which she is, so nothing further to discuss on that.

I have reported a child abuse concern previously based on second hand information. The information was correct and SS dealt with the matter appropriately.

So you reported someone for being in the same place as a child as being child abuse?

Or you reported actual abuse being seen?

Must've been serious for them to act. They do not act on a child being hit for example. That wouldn't meet threshold for SS intervention so what you reported was a serious bit of evidence.

Of which being at a hotel is not evidence at all.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 10:03

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:41

Neither does the OP so again there isn't anything to report. She doesn't even know if they were seen.

If a teacher reported to SS that they haven't seen anything or heard anything just that they have a feeling SS would say sorry there is nothing to investigate. I mean if you think that is SS being lax and not doing their job then so be it.

So go on...how would you report a child abuse concern just because you thought it and had nothing else to go on? How would you report a crime to the police on something you thought and nothing else?

Edited

We do not know what the OP knows. Full stop. The only discussion at play is whether OP is within her rights to report her concerns through correct channels – which she is, so nothing further to discuss on that.

I have reported a child abuse concern previously based on second hand information. The information was correct and SS dealt with the matter appropriately.

BunnyLake · 09/07/2025 09:48

When my kids were at school one of their teachers was having a relationship (not affair) with one of the mothers. I think they got married.

Is this an affair or a relationship? Ok I see you said both are married. I think you’ll have to mind your own business unless a crime is being committed.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:41

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:37

The information you do not know is what they were doing when they were seen or who saw them.

With that information the concerns can escalate or de-escalate. You do not know that information.

Neither does the OP so again there isn't anything to report. She doesn't even know if they were seen.

If a teacher reported to SS that they haven't seen anything or heard anything just that they have a feeling SS would say sorry there is nothing to investigate. I mean if you think that is SS being lax and not doing their job then so be it.

So go on...how would you report a child abuse concern just because you thought it and had nothing else to go on? How would you report a crime to the police on something you thought and nothing else?

Whammyyammy · 09/07/2025 09:39

None of your business..keep your nose out.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:37

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:32

The concern being that they were at a hotel.

That is not grounds for a complaint or a cause for concern.

Nope I haven't said I would turn a blind eye to issues.

What information needs gathering? They were there or not, I already clearly said that is easy to investigate.

So they were there - yes. Investigation complete.

Why would they need a convincing story?

They do not need to explain why they were there at all. I've given multiple reasons and no they do not need to share their reason for being there. If they said that is none of my business then they have that right to say that. The fact that the only reason you can think of is knobbing says more about you than it does about them. Maybe you cannot meet a colleague without having sex with them but most people can meet for other reasons.

Or do parents need to explain why they went to places?

Edited

The information you do not know is what they were doing when they were seen or who saw them.

With that information the concerns can escalate or de-escalate. You do not know that information.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:35

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:34

I didn’t say she has evidence. I said she has a concern and she is within her rights to let the governors know her concerns.

A concern based on a thought has no substance.

Absolutely she can - I've said this multiple times to which you keep ignoring.
Saying I have a concern and no reason for that concern just a thought will not bring about an investigation.

If teachers reported parents for child abuse for no reason other than a thought again there would be no investigation. That is not SS turning a blind eye it would be that there is nothing to investigate. They would say without anything we cannot investigate.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:34

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:28

The concern being that they saw two people at a hotel. That is not grounds for a concern.

I am working with the information that the OP gave us. She said she has a thought and didn't see them at a hotel but someone else did. So she hasn't any evidence as she didn't see anything.

So she has a thought and nothing else.

So again going to the governors and saying I have a concern that two members of staff were at a hotel together which I didn't see but someone told me is not grounds for an investigation.

I didn’t say she has evidence. I said she has a concern and she is within her rights to let the governors know her concerns.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:32

Gloriia · 09/07/2025 09:30

'What needs assessing? How would you assess a thought and something they didn't see.'

That is how an investigation starts! Someone raises a concern and then the governors <although not you, you've said you'd turn a blind eye> would gather more info by speaking to the Head. It isn't rocket science.

If he says oh yes was at that training session we were all there, then lovely. If it was a travelodge up the road and no one else was there well they'd better have a convincing story up their sleeves.

The concern being that they were at a hotel.

That is not grounds for a complaint or a cause for concern.

Nope I haven't said I would turn a blind eye to issues.

What information needs gathering? They were there or not, I already clearly said that is easy to investigate.

So they were there - yes. Investigation complete.

Why would they need a convincing story?

They do not need to explain why they were there at all. I've given multiple reasons and no they do not need to share their reason for being there. If they said that is none of my business then they have that right to say that. The fact that the only reason you can think of is knobbing says more about you than it does about them. Maybe you cannot meet a colleague without having sex with them but most people can meet for other reasons.

Or do parents need to explain why they went to places?

SemperIdem · 09/07/2025 09:32

Gloriia · 09/07/2025 09:24

'It sounds as though you and everyone else wringing their hands at the school gates about this need to acquire some wider interests.'

It's the Headteacher! You know the very person who judges every parent who crosses their path. If they show such poor judgement to be shagging a married junior then they need to be disciplined or sacked.

Schools have standards and codes of conduct. Teachers and yes yes even Heads should adhere to them.

So what it’s the Headmaster? In what way does it affect his ability to do his job? It doesn’t does it.

There are far more concerning things he could be up to than a workplace affair.

Gloriia · 09/07/2025 09:30

'What needs assessing? How would you assess a thought and something they didn't see.'

That is how an investigation starts! Someone raises a concern and then the governors <although not you, you've said you'd turn a blind eye> would gather more info by speaking to the Head. It isn't rocket science.

If he says oh yes was at that training session we were all there, then lovely. If it was a travelodge up the road and no one else was there well they'd better have a convincing story up their sleeves.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:28

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:25

The details determine this. You do not have them.

The Op told us the details. She has a thought and nothing else.

She said she didn't see them at the hotel so she cannot confirm if they were there. So she is reporting a possibility that two people were at the same place at the same time.

Not grounds for a cause for concern.

You cannot ask for it to be investigated why two staff members were maybe somewhere together. That is not grounds for a complaint.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:28

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:25

No, I didn’t say the teachers need assessing. I said the concern needs assessing – please direct quote if you see otherwise.

Any concern from parent at school needs assessing if they wish to report it.

The issue you have is that you believe you explicitly know the details of what the OP does. You don’t. She posted twice. That’s all the information you have.

What you personally believe you know to be true, based on absent or incomplete information, is completely irrelevant to the discussion.

Edited

The concern being that they saw two people at a hotel. That is not grounds for a concern.

I am working with the information that the OP gave us. She said she has a thought and didn't see them at a hotel but someone else did. So she hasn't any evidence as she didn't see anything.

So she has a thought and nothing else.

So again going to the governors and saying I have a concern that two members of staff were at a hotel together which I didn't see but someone told me is not grounds for an investigation.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:25

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:22

I never said you doubted me being a governor.

The details are a thought and not seeing someone somewhere. The context being what?

Next steps - nothing as there isn't anything to work with or do.

What would the next steps be? There isn't a step to take as there is nothing to investigate.

Edited

The details determine this. You do not have them.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:25

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:21

Yes you did.

What needs assessing? How would you assess a thought and something they didn't see.

My assessment is there is nothing to assess. She has no information other than a suspicion. She said that is all she has.

If she had other information it would not be a suspicion it would be evidence.

So by all means tell me what the assessment would look like? I assess your report as being a non-report as there is nothing to report.

Assessment complete.

No, I didn’t say the teachers need assessing. I said the concern needs assessing – please direct quote if you see otherwise.

Any concern from parent at school needs assessing if they wish to report it.

The issue you have is that you believe you explicitly know the details of what the OP does. You don’t. She posted twice. That’s all the information you have.

What you personally believe you know to be true, based on absent or incomplete information, is completely irrelevant to the discussion.

Gloriia · 09/07/2025 09:24

'It sounds as though you and everyone else wringing their hands at the school gates about this need to acquire some wider interests.'

It's the Headteacher! You know the very person who judges every parent who crosses their path. If they show such poor judgement to be shagging a married junior then they need to be disciplined or sacked.

Schools have standards and codes of conduct. Teachers and yes yes even Heads should adhere to them.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:22

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:20

I didn’t say you weren’t A governor. I said you weren’t THE governor receiving the information, because 1) OP has not detailed it to you and 2) You are not the governor at this school. You do not know the information. Full stop.

My husband is also a governor. He would take the details available into context and make a call on next steps.

What you would personally do is irrelevant.

I never said you doubted me being a governor.

The details are a thought and not seeing someone somewhere. The context being what?

Next steps - nothing as there isn't anything to work with or do.

What would the next steps be? There isn't a step to take as there is nothing to investigate.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:21

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:17

I didn’t say they could asses the teachers. I said they could assess OP’s concerns.

If they were seen doing something she would say

You think she would say. That’s different to the what the specific information actually is. Therefore the information is unknowable to you unless returns to the thread to explicitly say it.

Yes you did.

What needs assessing? How would you assess a thought and something they didn't see.

My assessment is there is nothing to assess. She has no information other than a suspicion. She said that is all she has.

If she had other information it would not be a suspicion it would be evidence.

So by all means tell me what the assessment would look like? I assess your report as being a non-report as there is nothing to report.

Assessment complete.

Didimum · 09/07/2025 09:20

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 08:46

I am a governor. This would not get assessed nor investigated.

Reporting Mrs X and Mr Y possibly at a hotel. I would laugh at a report like that.

If someone said Fetaface Mrs X and Mr Y were maybe seen at a hotel. I would say....and what??

They would then likely say but they have been seen.

And? There is nothing to investigate.

They were there or they weren't. Nothing to investigate.

Edited

I didn’t say you weren’t A governor. I said you weren’t THE governor receiving the information, because 1) OP has not detailed it to you and 2) You are not the governor at this school. You do not know the information. Full stop.

My husband is also a governor. He would take the details available into context and make a call on next steps.

What you would personally do is irrelevant.

SemperIdem · 09/07/2025 09:20

No, I wouldn’t do anything with the information. I’d perhaps take a long hard look at why I’m so invested in this.

It sounds as though you and everyone else wringing their hands at the school gates about this need to acquire some wider interests.

MsBette · 09/07/2025 09:18

I wouldn’t get involved. I think the days where teachers were seen as a sort of moral authority are long gone and they are now just doing a job like everyone else. Unless I knew them or their spouses personally I wouldn’t do anything. I also wouldn’t repeat this gossip. I probably would take it with a pinch of salt unless I’d actually seen them myself at this service station hotel, in an actual steamy clinch.

Fetaface · 09/07/2025 09:18

Gloriia · 09/07/2025 09:11

Ah so we've gone from it's like buying cereal at Tesco to now thinking it will spilt a family up? 🤔

Well sending a message to a spouse saying your wife/husband has been seen at a hotel with a colleague and is having an affair would likely cause issues.

Most likely cause a family to split up.

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