ASSAULT CHARGE HEADTEACHER COULD RETURN
Staff witness ‘ attack’ on pupil
Parents were this week concerned that a headteacher could return to school — less than a year after being charged with assaulting a pupil.
The Post has learned that Carol McCulloch was arrested and charged with assault after an incident during a school’s nativity.
Three of the four teachers at the primary school are said to have reported the 47- yearold to the police.
One source said: “The council are not listening to any of the parents because they are hopeful that she will return to her post.”
Parents were this week concerned that a village headmistress could return to school – less than a year after being charged with assaulting a pupil.
The Post has learned that Sorn Primary headteacher Carol McCulloch was arrested and charged with assault after an incident during the school’s nativity back in December.
Mrs McCulloch was told to appear at Ayr Sheriff Court in March, however the Crown decided to take no further action – instead referring the case to the General Teaching Council ( GTC).
Three of the four teachers at the village primary school are said to have reported the 47- year- old to the police after, what officers called, a “disturbance.”
The teacher has been suspended since then – but a source has told us that East Ayrshire Council are “trying to keep her in post.”
They said: “She was suspended and charged by the police for assault of a pupil and since then the school has been without a permanent head – we’ve now had about five headteachers in place since then. Now East Ayrshire Council are trying to keep her in post. There’s no consistency at all.
“There’s pupils leaving because of it, there’s teachers leaving. Three pupils left last week alone. There’s quite a big hooha because of it. East Ayrshire Council are not listening to any of the parents because they are hopeful that she will return to her post.”
Our source also claims that the council deemed Mrs McCulloch fit to teach while the criminal investigation was still going on.
They added: “After about three weeks of her being suspended they deemed her fit to remain in post – while there was a court case going on. So they were happy for her to work while the police were still investigating it, while the police were still at the school. Luckily a lawyer stepped in to put a stop to that.”
A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council said: “Whilst we are aware of the concerns raised by parents, we advise that the Council has not yet concluded its investigation. This is being carried out in a reasonable and appropriate manner, and on its merits, in accordance with the relevant Council policies and procedures. It would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment further on that matter at this time.
“We do however recognise that there has been a recent turnover of headteachers at the school and we’d like to re- assure parents, and others, that we have put in place appropriate arrangements to ensure that the education for those who attend the school is provided in an appropriate manner.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed the 47- year- old was arrested and charged in connection with a disturbance at Sorn Village Hall on Tuesday, December 5, 2019. They added: “She was expected to appear at Ayr Sheriff Court in March, 2020.”
A Crown Office spokesperson said they decided to take no further action on the basis of the information currently available and referred the case to the GTC. They said: “We reserve the right to prosecute in the future should the position change.”
The GTC said: “We cannot comment on referrals or Fitness to Teach hearings.”
Now East Ayrshire Council are trying to keep her in post. There’s no consistency at all.