Would you inform the school?

[Winterstorms2]

My friend recently got into an argument with her friend. The argument started off as a conversation which quickly turned into an argument, (my friends friend accusing her of things, name calling her etc) in the end my friend was spat at. She was horrified but does not want to do anything about it. My friend’s “friend” is a teacher. AIBU to think my friend should inform the school of this behaviour? Im tempted to do so myself! Our children both attend the school she teaches at. What would you feelings be?

yes it was a public place!

What conclusion?

why are you labelling the truth as highly convenient? What is it so far beyond your realm of reality that we actually have shitty people like this in our schools doing shitty things and getting away with it because people like you think they deserve protecting!

Around the time OP realised she was getting absolutely dragged for harping on about the fact the woman was a teacher ...

You seem very invested in this for a "witness" - I witnessed my neighbours husband punching her in the garden - she reported it to the police, he got booted out on a DVPN and the police took my statement, that's it, I'm in no way interested in it and won't give it another thought unless I have to go to court and repeat my testimony - its got nothing to do with me.

Your friend has reported to the police, they will either approach you for a statement or not, its not your problem, not your issue to solve - they are dealing with it.

And your friend already has the contact details of all these strangers to give statements? How fortuitous.

she has details for the people she knows, and she will be able to inform the police of where it happened, cctv and the workers present its not that hard.

Oh so she was having a massive argument in public with convenient witnesses who are neutral but she has contact with and who are ALL saying it wasn't OK?

Hope your "friend" is ok with potentially being charged with breach of the peace for having such a public, loud, argument which disrupted other people's day...

So surprised at the amount of ppl minimising this.
If it was a man spitting at his gf (or other way round) that would rightly be condemned.

Who on earth thinks spitting is within the normal range of human behaviour?!

I'm glad your friend is going to report it.
Teaching is a notifiable occupation so they will probably report it to the school too.

Doubtful the police will approach the OP for a statement as she wasn't actually there at the time.

If you didn't witness it you shouldn't report it. It is hearsay evidence aka gossip and it is for your friend to report it if she chooses. You have nothing to report other than 'he says, she says'.

@Winterstorms2

Why are you continuing to avoid answering the MANY posters who asked what your ‘friend's’ role in this argument was, and what the argument was about? Who started it, what led up to the spitting?

Nobody would spit unprovoked!! I am NOT saying spitting is right, it’s not, it’s horrible! But it would help to understand the situation better (and you may get more reasoned responses!) if the whole context was explained.

I’m glad your friend is going to report it. Spitting is disgusting behaviour by any human no matter what their job but being a teacher comes with certain responsibilities like many other careers. I certainly wouldn’t want someone who deals with conflict in such a disgusting and aggressive way teaching my children.

Not reading the whole thread, but I will say that if you are a member of a regulated profession, often your conduct outside of work must be at a high level to maintain the reputation of that profession in society. I'm not sure about schools, but certainly in my profession, if an individual made a complaint to my employer alleging illegal conduct, my employer would be obliged to contact my regulator for further investigation. It is not akin to telling Tescos about the behaviour of one of their cashiers outside of work.

her "friend's" child

probably because I would receive the “sure she did” a d “how convenient” comments again which is really upsetting. You would THINK that no one would spit provoked or un-provoked really. Friend started off with a discussion, which turned into teacher friend twisting what she was saying, which escalated to raised voices, escalated to name calling from teacher friend and eventually the spit, all because she could not handle what was being said

Nor me tbh but plenty here seems they would be perfectly happy to have their child taught by such a person

This.
You weren't even there and are just going off what you've been told.

Firstly, I can’t stand spitting. It’s gross. Having said that, I’m failing to see what on earth it has to do with you, partly because you weren’t even there and also because you clearly already dislike the teacher and you’re out to pull them down a peg or two.
You’re coming across like you’re a playground snitch.
It’s telling that your friend didn’t want to take things further until you started getting in her ear to report it.
That’s on the basis that this is real. It probably isn’t.

Also, I’m not entirely sure what the police will be able to do unless there’s some proof. Otherwise, what stops your friend from reporting it, the teacher saying it didn’t happen and a couple of people who witnessed it to say it did but the police aren’t going to just believe them with no evidence surely?

Why on earth is your friend friends to this woman if she's so awful?!

I think knowing the context of the argument would be most enlightening.

I’m sure if the OP is going to tell the police and has the witnesses details .. AND CCTV no less - she will get her revenge.
OP you should stop pretending it isn’t you that was spat at.
Spitting is disgusting. But it isn’t always common assault, no matter how many witnesses there are. Just remember that. But good luck to you

But what would you suggest if not reporting assault which absolutely should be done because it absolutely did happen. Would you encourage another individual not to go to the police if they were assaulted? Just because that person might not be believed? Its reasons like these people are scared of people in roles such as teaching and its unacceptable

all because she could not handle what was being said
so what was said to take that level of alleged escalation?

If your friend was really upset by this she would have told the police. No point in going to school, the school will find out when the police investigate.
I'm more inclined to think you just want to cause drama at the school and think this a good way to do it.
I also think your friend would have said something pretty vile to get such a reaction, there's a reason why she hasn't reported it.
Your friend told you to leave it so leave it. Your friend is more than capable of reporting it to the police (not the school) if she wants.
I'd be interested to know though if you'd report anyone to their employer no matter what their job. What if it was someone at the supermarket and your friend shopped there? Would you go to their managers?