Legal News
Nearly Half of All Allegations Against Teachers “Malicious” (19 October 2011)
Date: 19/10/2011
A government study has found that almost half of all allegations made against schoolteachers in England are malicious, unfounded, or unsubstantiated in nature. According to the results of the Department for Education survey, just three per cent of investigations into alleged abuse led to a teacher being cautioned or convicted for a criminal offence. Schools Minister Nick Gibb claims that the research justifies Government plans to provide teachers with a legal right to anonymity following allegations of abuse.
The Department for Education survey looked into the number and nature of allegations against teachers referred to 116 English councils between April 1st 2009 and March 31st 2010. Of the 12,086 reported allegations, 2,827 (23 per cent) were allegations against schoolteachers while 1,709 were against non-teaching staff in schools. The survey found 47 per cent of all allegations made against teachers and 41 per cent of allegations made against non-teaching staff members were considered unsubstantiated, malicious, or unfounded. Around 18 per cent of teachers and 29 per cent of non-teaching staff were found to have been suspended following accusations being made against them.
12 per cent of accused teachers and nearly one fifth of non-teaching members of staff were subject to a criminal investigation. A mere three per cent of criminal investigations involving teachers and five per cent of investigations involving non-teaching staff resulted in a criminal caution or conviction.
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