Nicola Houghton gave evidence on the third day of a Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing
Rowan Park School in Litherland. Photo by Colin Lane(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A former senior teacher has admitted her alleged behaviour including touching members of staff in work was “completely inappropriate” and said she “couldn’t be more remorseful.” Nicola Houghton made the admissions during the third day of a Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing held into her conduct while assistant head at Rowan High School in Litherland.
The former Sefton-based educator gave evidence for the first time after two days of former colleagues alleging she had “branded” one with a hot spoon and felt another’s breasts in a staff room. It was also said Miss Houghton offered colleagues at the high school additional planning time in exchange for sexual favours.
Miss Houghton said she agreed she was involved in “an awful lot” of sexualised culture and fully accepted she would join in. She refuted any suggestion she was responsible for instigating such things but said she “certainly didn’t do anything about it” despite being in a position of leadership at the school.
The former assistant headteacher said: “In an ideal world, I should have known it was inappropriate. I shouldn’t have engaged in it.”
The hearing was told how staff including Miss Houghton played crude games which involved ranking celebrities, with TV star Ann Robinson among those talked about. Asked by her representative Jonathan Storey, the ex-teacher said she “absolutely” accepted the suggestion she had been a bad role model.
Regarding the assertion she had offered additional planning time to staff in exchange for sexual favours, Miss Houghton said it was in hindsight “completely inappropriate.” She added: “It’s not what you would expect to hear in a staff room, I would be shocked now, I don’t know why I ever thought it was appropriate.”
Miss Houghton said she acknowledged it had crossed boundaries over what was acceptable and not. This was also said for the game nervous, which it was alleged the ex-assistant head had played with members of staff involving touching their thighs.
Regarding the allegation she “branded” one member of staff with a hot spoon, Miss Houghton said such activities were “something that always happened” at the school, describing it as jovial and said she wasn’t the sole participant. She said she hadn’t gone directly to a boiler to heat the spoon, rather while it was warm after making a hot drink.
Asked what she thought the public would make of her conduct, the former teacher said she felt they would be “horrified” and lose confidence in the profession. She added: “I am deeply remorseful, I couldn’t be more remorseful.
“I’ve been through a really painful journey and quite rightly so.” The hearing continues.