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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Returning to work after allegation of assault

54 replies

MamasAndPapas · 18/02/2020 19:52

Has anyone done this? If so, how was it? The allegation, which was false, is known of by all staff and a fair few children.

It has brought me to my knees, even though school have been very supportive. I go back on Monday and am terrified.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 18/02/2020 19:59

I’ve not done it, but someone in my department was suspended while an allegation was being investigated and came back when it was obviously false.

All staff that I could see welcomed him back as if he hadn’t been away and didn’t mention it - it was a case of ‘thank god it wasn’t me’ and nothing but sympathy (and horror) when it was discussed in his absence.

I don’t know how the kids took it - you might want to have a line prepared if they ask? ‘Did you do X?’ ‘Clearly not, or I wouldn’t be here, now let’s get back to work’ sort of thing.

Original poster

MamasAndPapas · 18/02/2020 20:29

Thank noblegiraffe. Will be wearing a smiley face all day Monday - I think my colleagues will react as you have said.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 18/02/2020 22:17

Head held high, you have done nothing wrong.

Hope the accuser was suitably dealt with.

Original poster

MamasAndPapas · 19/02/2020 08:44

Thank you.

As far as I know the child has recieved no punishment, but mum has been spoken to with regards to ongoing behavioural issues at school. The child is Y5 and before I went off sick was turning up at most breakfast and lunch clubs I ran.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 19/02/2020 10:11

I assume you won’t have to be in the same room as them any more?

Original poster

MamasAndPapas · 19/02/2020 18:40

I have told work that I will no longer be doing the lunchtime club.

I do not know about breakfast club. Head has advised me not to speak to her at all and there is usually another member of staff with me. If she carries on coming I will request that she is asked not to I think. I don't want to be around her at all.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 19/02/2020 19:20

I think if you’re going to have to ask her to stop coming if she continues to, that you say up front you don’t want her there. It will give the parent time to make alternative arrangements as well.

Not wanting to be in the same room as a child who has already made a potentially career-ending false allegation against you is entirely reasonable and tbh the school should already be making arrangements.

Cohle · 19/02/2020 19:24

OP, I wish you the very best for Monday.

It's entirely inappropriate for you to have to continue to interact with the child. You should absolutely make it clear to the head that the child cannot attend the breakfast club if you are to continue doing it.

QueenofallIsee · 19/02/2020 19:24

I am not in your profession but surely a false allegation like that is expulsion territory? I wouldn’t expect to have to work with an adult who did such a thing!

Original poster

MamasAndPapas · 19/02/2020 19:38

QueenofallIsee - if it happens again it probably would be. Until then, they are a nine year old child and I do appreciate that we all do stupid things, especially children. I wouldn't want to mess up the education of a child for one mistake.

Chole - thank you.

Noblegiraffe - the child only pops in to buy a drink for a few minutes - does not 'need' to attend and indeed only started doing so regularly after the allegation. 😐

OP posts:

LonginesPrime · 19/02/2020 19:38

Everyone's going to know you wouldn't be allowed back if the allegation were true.

It's only going to become an issue if you start being weird about it - you've done nothing wrong so just act normal.

Original poster

MamasAndPapas · 19/02/2020 19:40

Will do my best Longinesprime. 😀

OP posts:

Wavingnotdrown1ng · 20/02/2020 19:14

Go in with your head held high. You have done nothing wrong, your colleagues will know this and your attitude to the child is dignified and gracious- clearly the child has a lot of issues.

Original poster

MamasAndPapas · 21/02/2020 14:56

Thank you. Had a wobble yesterday when HOY sent an email to all saying that the child is moving class and needs us all to support the child's transition as they are , "very wary of staff".

Am wavering between livid and an emotional wreck.

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 21/02/2020 16:20

Staff need to be told to be very wary of the pupil. Definitely not to be in a room alone with them.

Theholidayarmadillo4 · 21/02/2020 16:23

Is the school really as supportive as you say? That email would devastate me in your position.

FraglesRock · 21/02/2020 16:28

I worked closely with a ta who was the subject of an allegation.
Luckily we knew the ta to be awesome and that the mum kicked of when she'd been challenged.
She wasn't allowed to talk about it but she got lots of hugs and as a year we got her flowers.

In your position I'd expect to not have to teach that child or have them in any clubs I ran. But I'd expect that sorting before I went back.

I'd email your contact to say that's the bare minimum and put in that quote from hoy saying that it had upset you greatly.

Good luck

HollowTalk · 21/02/2020 16:34

Not as wary as the staff should be of her!

Thisisverytricky · 21/02/2020 16:35

I’m
Not surprised you’re livid, you’re the one that needs support! I’m sure that your colleagues will support you, best of luck.

MitziK · 21/02/2020 16:42

In this case 'wary' means 'is likely to make false allegations about you if you tell them off in any shape or form'.

It's Headteacher speak for 'watch your backs, people'.

Waffles80 · 21/02/2020 16:48

Have you had union support at all?

LonginesPrime · 21/02/2020 16:52

It's Headteacher speak for 'watch your backs, people'

I agree that this was probably (or at least hopefully) a clunky way of saying that, but it still shows no support of OP and a huge lack of sensitivity of OP's experience to send this out to the whole dept including OP.

findthelight · 21/02/2020 16:57

Good luck and hope it goes well. Remember you've done nothing wrong. Ensure that you are not with child at any time. Do not engage with child. Ensure that another adult is always present and if you feel it necessary keep records of any interaction with child. Do you have a return to work meeting arranged? If so I would ensure that arrangements are made so that you do not need to be in contact.with child.
I too would be livid. But hold your head high, smile and I hope that everything will settle down soon for you.

Waffles80 · 21/02/2020 16:58

It's Headteacher speak for 'watch your backs, people.

I disagree; it was the HOY who sent the message NOT the head.

The school have a duty of care to the child and the OP has been incredibly gracious in saying that she accepts children make mistakes. The school have to work to settle and support the child.

It sounds however like the OP is not being supported at all. I totally understand how crap you’re feeling about Monday but if it helps, I think it sounds like the entire staff will be behind you and will fully understand this was a totally false allegation.

Tebolla · 21/02/2020 17:18

Sounds a little bit like the child’s feelings are being put over yours. Remember you can refuse to have them in classes or extra sessions and keep your union informed. Good luck!

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