Chloe Hadjimatheou

In fact, there's only one person who ever really tried to blow the whistle on that relationship between Gareth and Miss Bowen. And she had nothing to do with the school.

In fact, there's only one person who ever really tried to blow the whistle on that relationship between Gareth and Miss Bowen. And she had nothing to do with the school.

This is Gareth's mum. I've changed all the names of Gareth's family members to protect his identity. And so I'm calling his mum Philippa. So, you know, you were quite close. Very. And then this thing happened. Yeah. And it changed the relationship. It did. Totally.

This is Gareth's mum. I've changed all the names of Gareth's family members to protect his identity. And so I'm calling his mum Philippa. So, you know, you were quite close. Very. And then this thing happened. Yeah. And it changed the relationship. It did. Totally.

Philippa's got short, stylish white hair. She looks far younger than her 82 years. When did you first find out that there was some kind of relationship with a teacher? Do you remember what the first thing was? I think it was my son. Her older son, Freddie. Gareth's the youngest of four kids. There's only two and a half years between Freddie and Gareth, but lots of distance.

Philippa's got short, stylish white hair. She looks far younger than her 82 years. When did you first find out that there was some kind of relationship with a teacher? Do you remember what the first thing was? I think it was my son. Her older son, Freddie. Gareth's the youngest of four kids. There's only two and a half years between Freddie and Gareth, but lots of distance.

They don't talk anymore, and Freddie didn't want to be involved in this podcast. One evening, back in the late spring of 1988, Philip has just come home from work when Freddie says he needs to talk to her. There are rumours going round the school, he tells her. I was worried sick. So she waits for Gareth to get home and asks where he's been.

They don't talk anymore, and Freddie didn't want to be involved in this podcast. One evening, back in the late spring of 1988, Philip has just come home from work when Freddie says he needs to talk to her. There are rumours going round the school, he tells her. I was worried sick. So she waits for Gareth to get home and asks where he's been.

He says what he always says, that he's been with his mates in Hendon, but she's not having any of it. Was she shocked that these rumours were going around?

He says what he always says, that he's been with his mates in Hendon, but she's not having any of it. Was she shocked that these rumours were going around?

So you stopped talking to your mum and you pulled away from her?

So you stopped talking to your mum and you pulled away from her?

That's why these rumours ring true for Philippa. Gareth's been acting distant, avoiding her and staying out after school. Until now, she's always put that down to teenage hormones.

That's why these rumours ring true for Philippa. Gareth's been acting distant, avoiding her and staying out after school. Until now, she's always put that down to teenage hormones.

Desmond Tinch, Gareth's maths teacher. Tall and thin, with a no-nonsense kind of attitude, but most boys think he's a pretty decent guy. He's been counselling Gareth each week in his office, trying to help this bright boy reach his potential. So he seems like the obvious person for Philippa to call. What would you have said to him, do you think?

Desmond Tinch, Gareth's maths teacher. Tall and thin, with a no-nonsense kind of attitude, but most boys think he's a pretty decent guy. He's been counselling Gareth each week in his office, trying to help this bright boy reach his potential. So he seems like the obvious person for Philippa to call. What would you have said to him, do you think?

I can believe that staff might not have had time to bother with every little rumour circulating round the playground. But this is different. From what Gareth's former classmate Gavin remembers, this is all happening in plain sight. For anyone paying attention, it's obvious.

I can believe that staff might not have had time to bother with every little rumour circulating round the playground. But this is different. From what Gareth's former classmate Gavin remembers, this is all happening in plain sight. For anyone paying attention, it's obvious.

And anyway, now a concerned parent is asking the school to investigate because she thinks there might be something to the rumours about her son and this teacher. You would imagine this would set off alarms, activating some kind of formal process, you know, internal procedures, that kind of thing.

And anyway, now a concerned parent is asking the school to investigate because she thinks there might be something to the rumours about her son and this teacher. You would imagine this would set off alarms, activating some kind of formal process, you know, internal procedures, that kind of thing.