Would you inform the school?

Yet you stated that prior to this incident you did not dislike this lady, until she spat. Which is it?

Well, given that 592 people, and only 89 think you're reasonable to date, I'd say there is a very good chance the police will think the person reporting this is wasting their time.

I know. Time after time people have said spitting is horrible and friend should consider going to police. No one is condoning this.

I agree re the inconsistencies. OP was asked early in thread if she disliked this teacher prior to this incident. Her answer was 'I didnt , until she spat'. Then she stated that this teacher had been bullying and intimidating and causing 'hell and havoc' for ages, acting like she was 'untouchable', was a really awful person who had caused much distress. But at the same time she wasn't concerned enough to raise a complaint to head, so can't have been that bad?

I'm not creating a narrative nor defending anyone. I'm pointing out inconsistencies in the OP's storytelling. Why don't you take 5mins and actually read what I wrote? I didn't say "maybe the friend spat first". I said that OP's changing account suggests, for example that the friend was also unpleasant (and gave an example of an unpleasant action) or that OP was trying to drum up sympathy because she'd been called out on her bad attitude.

If you read all my posts, I actually did suggest the friend go to the police if she feels she was actually assaulted.

The number of people who read what they want to read and take offense where there is none as a result is also crazy.

It's your friend, not you, so don't involve yourself. If she wants to take it further that's up to her. You weren't there, always 2 sides, why being a teacher is different to any other job? I'm sure if she spat at work it would be dealt with, as any other profession.

Can you imagine the reaction and responses on here if this had happened when covid was rife? You would have wanted the teachers head!!

it is a bad season for flu and sickness bugs, as well as being assault and disgusting, there are so many diseases that she could have spread. What the hell was she thinking? I do think the school need to know about this.

It’s really tedious when people try to create their own narrative on a post. You either take the op on face value or you go down a million rabbit holes coming up with your own theories. What’s the point?

The scrabbling about to somehow try to defend the woman who spat (oh maybe the friend did it first - despite us having absolutely no reason to believe this was the case) is crazy. Why can’t people just admit it’s disgusting and wrong and that she should face the consequences?

Police informing the school is exactly the same as police informing any employees place of employment about what has been alleged. Because said person is in 'a position of trust' the employer (in this case the school) can decide to suspend the employee pending investigation. It's the same as you or I having an argument, one of us spitting at the other and the person being spat at deciding they want to report to the police. OP can't report it and no employer would act on second hand information. At this point in time it's an allegation so even schools can't 'sack' someone.

Maybe the teacher shouldn’t have assaulted someone by spitting at them? Any ruining of life was done by herself and her actions

If a child spat at a teacher ? Child would be suspended or possibly Permanently excluded depending on the schools behaviour policy (bearing in mind a school child isn't an adult) Letter to parents, child removed from school either for time specified on suspension or permanently to a different provision from the 6th day.... Etc etc ...
A child spitting at a teacher isn't handled the same way as its not a criminal assault.
Common assault is anything which could make anyone be in fear of even potential violence. Neither friend or OP can gain anything by trying to report directly to the school. The police will decide who needs to be notified then the school evoke their employment policies.

Was the issue in regards to a parent/teacher issue? Or was it personal as they were friends? If it was personal and happened off school grounds I'm not really sure what the school would do? Personally I wouldn't report it to the police as I don't think they would do much, could even make things difficult at school for the child, but I suppose that's up to your friend x

I wonder how the responses would go if a child spat at a teacher!
What action would a teacher take?
What action would a school take?
What would the discussions be like with the parents of the child?

I think that’s what op hopes will happen!

Basically your friend reports to police as an assault.
Person doing the spitting will be called in for interview under caution, outcome can be anything from told the case is under review, bail etc etc
Workplace would be informed and depending on whether a charge has been made and the schools policies , person doing the splitting might be suspended pending full investigation as it's a criminal offence.
It can take a long time for the police to decide what they are doing in this sort of case, particularly if they need to send it to the CPS. During that time your friend and the teacher wouldn't be permitted to be in contact with each other.
In short, the teachers school will be informed that the police have an open assault allegation.

So you're prepared to ruin her career and possibly her life?

Your friend taking it to the police IS the way to handle this. It is assault and the assailant should face the charges that she is due and any consequences in work. However if she doesn't not want to report it, there will be little that work can do. You can't sack someone based on something that a randomer has told you.

Also, why the heck did you post on aibu? To then call us the mad women of mumsnet when the vast majority disagree with you. Just deal with it. And its not the wrongness of spitting anyone is debating, before you say that again!

Anyhoo, im not sure youre entirely honest or sane so this is my last post.

Even if she does have it in for this teacher - spitting is still a crime/assault. It doesn’t make spitting ok.

how would you react if one of your kids teachers came and spat in your face?! Would you say “oh it’s ok - we need teachers!”

why would she lie? It’s not her reporting it!!

I don’t understand this thread at all.

Again, with the determination to constantly imply that I and many others think spitting is ok! Not the case at all.

Stop lying.