Edinburgh headteacher accused of failing to act over paedophile fears

A HEADTEACHER failed to act over reports a child sex offender could be working at his Capital school, a regulatory panel has heard.

The allegation came to light during an investigation into an adult student’s accusations she had been sexually harassed by a teacher at Castlebrae Community High in 2014.

She claimed she had a sexual relationship with a teacher still working at the school years before when she was only 15.

“There was a potential paedophile in operation in the school - it was not fully investigated to make sure the safety of children at the school was maintained,” former Edinburgh City Council head of services David Lyon told a General Teaching Council of Scotland hearing yesterday.

Mr Lyon was speaking on the second day of a GTCS hearing into whether former Castlebrae head Derek Curran is fit to teach.

The hearing previously heard from then Castlebrae acting deputy head, Mark Cunningham, he alerted Mr Curran to the historical sex allegation on May 8, 2014.

But Mr Curran’s legal team say he was only told four days later and immediately escalated it to the council, in line with protocol.

Mr Lyon was appointed by the council to head-up a disciplinary hearing into Mr Curran’s actions.

Asked about Mr Cunningham’s suitability to lead the initial investigation into the 2014 sexual harassment allegations, Mr Lyon questioned his appointment by Mr Curran.

“I don’t think it was the most suitable,” Mr Lyon told the hearing. “Mr Cunningham hadn’t taken part in any disciplinary training.

“He didn’t even know where to find the disciplinary procedures at the council. He was out of his depth - he didn’t know where to start.”

Mr Lyon also told the hearing he thought human resources should have been alerted earlier and there was insufficient support and updates provided to the accuser.

Lawyers representing Mr Curran challenge whether the teacher accused of sexual harassment should have been suspended given he was off work sick having suffered a stroke.

Mr Curran denies failing to adequately assess the seriousness of the complaint and ensure an investigation was properly conducted.

He also denies failing to ensure that sufficient support was put in place for the adult learner and failing to take appropriate action in line with Edinburgh City Council child protection guidelines.

He also denies failing to adhere to council procedures over payment of travel expenses of £399 and failing to adhere to procedures over payment of salaries to tertiary staff avoiding the payment of tax and national insurance.

He was convicted of a criminal charge of threatening behaviour at the Sick Kids but contests whether it makes him unfit to be a teacher.

The hearing continues