March 2022 

Batley Grammar School teacher update

Further to my previous statements regarding events which took place at Batley Grammar School in March 2021, I wanted to provide an update to reassure constituents that I have kept in regular contact with the teacher involved and his family since being elected as the MP for Batley and Spen in July 2021.

I initially wrote a personal letter to him on July 21^st offering him and his family my personal and professional support and have since had numerous conversations and correspondence through his union representatives. These conversations happen on a regular basis as I am keen for the teacher and his family to know that there is no time limit on my offer of help and support. However, I believe that it is not for me or anyone else to decide what they want or need, and as such, I will always be guided by what they feel is the best course of action. I sent another personal letter to him last week so he knows that my door is always open should he and his family need any help or support.

As I have clearly said on numerous occasions, it is completely unacceptable for him to have been forced into hiding and his family put at risk. But the reason I am not discussing this matter publicly is because I have specifically been asked not to – by the family involved.

From the conversations and communication I have had it is very clear that the teacher and his family do not want their personal circumstances to be a matter of public debate on social media.

They just want to get on with their lives.

Their well-being is of the utmost importance, as is their privacy, which I will continue to respect at their request.

Whenever I have a constituent who may need my help it is my professional duty to correspond with them through the correct channels and to do everything I can to respect their situation, their wishes – and their privacy. This is what I have done, it is what I will continue to do. It is what I will always do.

If he or his family feel that I can help them in any way they know that I am here for them. I hope that provides reassurance to people who have very kindly expressed their concerns on this matter.