Former Assistant Headteacher Accused of Inappropriate Touching as ‘Banter’

Litherland: So, there’s this former assistant headteacher, Nicola Houghton, who’s in hot water for some pretty serious allegations. She’s accused of making inappropriate comments and touching colleagues in ways that definitely cross the line.

It all went down at Rowan Park School, where she worked from 2012 until 2021. The school caters to kids with severe learning difficulties, and it seems like Houghton took things way too far with some of the staff.

During a hearing, it came out that she allegedly made some really inappropriate comments about a male colleague’s genitals and even touched a teaching assistant inappropriately. She reportedly claimed it was all just a game, but that’s a tough sell.

Her lawyer said she admitted some things happened but insisted they weren’t meant to be sexual. However, the presenting officer made it clear that this wasn’t just harmless fun; it had a real impact on the staff.

Initially, Houghton denied everything, saying it was a group of staff trying to get her out. She felt betrayed and missed working with the kids. But she also mentioned that she got caught up in a culture at the school that wasn’t right.

Her lawyer said she was embarrassed to be there and recognized she didn’t do enough to change the inappropriate culture while she was in charge. She even expressed regret if she made anyone feel uncomfortable.

One teaching assistant, Rachael O’Brien, testified that Houghton had touched her thigh during a game and that it wasn’t unusual for her to act that way. O’Brien didn’t think it was a big deal at the time, but it raises some serious questions about the environment at the school.

There were also claims that Houghton made sexual remarks and even touched another colleague inappropriately. Her lawyer said she wanted to apologize if she made anyone feel awkward. The hearing is still ongoing, and it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.