Girl’s housemaster at £48,685-a-year private school in Bath is sacked for ‘inappropriate online contact’ with former pupils
A trusted girls’ house head at a leading private school has been sacked over ‘inappropriate online communication’ with former students.
Xavier Lord was sacked from Bath Prior Park College, where full board fees are £48,685 a year, after his behavior was reported to staff by current students.
Shocked parents received a letter from headteacher Ben Horan in which he spoke of ‘strong statements’ but insisted there were ‘no allegations of physical harm to any child or young person’.
He continued: ‘What happened, and what Mr Lord admitted to, was inappropriate communication with some former students online via social media.’
The science teacher was one of the first men to run the girls’ home at his coeducational school, and his motto was: God is our guide, God is our light.
He was dismissed following a month-long investigation and disciplinary process involving the police and local authority protection team.
Mr Horan told parents police ‘felt the issues raised did not meet the high thresholds for action’ and ‘the local authority has handed over responsibility for further investigation to the school’.
He added: ‘During these four weeks Mr Lord was suspended from his duties at the school and from our school.
Xavier Lord shaved his shoulder-length hair into a mohawk for charity at the request of students participating in the survey.
The school refused to provide details about the nature of Mr Lord’s contact with the former pupil but said it did not plan to appeal the expulsion decision.
The £48,685-a-year private school has a very private grounds and is home to one of four Palladian bridges in the world.
‘The young people directly affected were in regular communication and contact with our safeguarding team; ‘Their parents have all been notified.’
Prior Park describes itself as a ‘Christian school in the Catholic tradition’ and educates 535 students aged 11-19.
Graduates include former leader of the Catholic Church in England Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, composer Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend, actress Cressida Bonas.
Mr Lord was jointly responsible for the welfare of around 70 girls staying in the school’s separate St Mary’s boarding house; This hostel, II. It was a grade-listed former monastery. He was also president of Fielding House.
He seems to be a popular teacher interested in the lighter side of school life. In June last year, his distinctive shoulder-length hair was replaced with a ‘Mohican’ to raise money for charity; this was the result of a survey among students as to which style they should adopt.
Prior Park was given a glowing rating for pastoral care in the latest Independent Schools Inspectorate report.
It states: ‘Staff help pupils to develop self-awareness, self-confidence and resilience, and pupils know how to seek help when needed. ‘The relationships and sexuality education program is well structured, age appropriate and allows students to learn and discuss potentially sensitive topics safely.’
In his letter to parents, Mr Horan said he was ‘proud that students at our school felt safe enough to discuss this issue with us’.
Xavier Lord sacked after revelations of ‘inappropriate online communication’ with former students
“This type of behavior will occur in schools like ours, where systems work, students trust their teachers and professionalism abounds,” said principal Ben Horan.
Mr Lord was jointly responsible for the welfare of around 70 girls at St Mary’s boarding house and Feilding House.
He continued: ‘I am proud that our students are confident enough that such allegations will not only be taken seriously but will be acted upon promptly and appropriately.
‘No matter how harsh such statements may be, our community’s response has been exemplary.
‘Such behaviors will emerge in schools like ours where systems work, students trust their teachers, and professionalism prevails. ‘They will be held accountable and those responsible will be eliminated.’
It said Mr Lord had been referred to the Anti-Disclosure Service and the Teacher Referral Agency ‘regarding his suitability for working with children and young people in the future’.
In response to questions in the Mail On Sunday, Mr Horan refused to give details of online communications between Mr Lord and former pupils but said the teacher had ‘informed us that he does not plan to appeal the dismissal decision’.
