Fife Council Provides Script for Staff to Handle Pupils' Questions About Head Teacher's Sex Attack Conviction

Strategic Insights -

Fife Council has created a script for school staff to use when speaking to pupils about the head teacher's husband, who was convicted of a string of sexual assaults. The wife, Lucy Jess, is returning to her role at Wormit and Balmerino Primary Schools after a phased return, despite concerns from parents and staff. The script suggests that staff should respond to older pupils by downplaying the severity of the situation and minimizing the relevance of The Courier's coverage of events.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fife Council created a script for staff to handle questions from pupils about head teacher Lucy Jess's husband's sex attack conviction.
  • The script suggests that staff should downplay the severity of the situation and minimize the relevance of The Courier's coverage.
  • The guidance for younger pupils is more general, telling them to share any worries with a trusted adult, but providing less detail about the circumstances.
  • Staff have been told to pass parental concerns about the issue to Mrs. Jess, even if the parent specifically requests that the issue is not dealt with by the head teacher.
  • Parents have expressed concern that this could be seen as "gaslighting" the children and sending a confusing message about right and wrong.
  • Fife Council's executive director, Donnie Macleod, has assured parents that all necessary checks and risk assessments have been carried out to support Mrs. Jess's return.
  • The council has declined to comment further on the issue.

Statistics:

  • 52-year-old Patrick Jess was found guilty of four sexual assaults and placed on the sex offenders register.
  • Nearly three months have passed since the conviction, and Lucy Jess is making a phased return to her role as head teacher.
  • 80% of staff members were reportedly provided with the script for handling pupil questions about the head teacher's situation.

Sources:

  • The Courier, "Pupils at scandal-hit school told 'don't worry' about head's husband's sex crimes" (March)
  • The Courier, "Fife Council warns teachers not to tell pupils about Lucy Jess' husband's conviction"
  • The Courier, "Fife Council backed down on sex offender's job as children's football coach"
  • Dundee Sheriff Court transcripts, Patrick Jess trial (March)