Chloe Hadjimatheou

Any kind of formal process would have entailed the risk that news of this relationship would travel out beyond the walls of the school. And that would not have been good for an institution with such a good reputation. At the beginning of this podcast, I said, this isn't that story. And for the most part, that's true. But it does fit into a broader pattern.

Any kind of formal process would have entailed the risk that news of this relationship would travel out beyond the walls of the school. And that would not have been good for an institution with such a good reputation. At the beginning of this podcast, I said, this isn't that story. And for the most part, that's true. But it does fit into a broader pattern.

We know now that in so many historical cases, in boarding schools, children's homes, the church and other establishments, people did cover up abuse and shield abusers in order to preserve reputations. I need to know what the teachers remember about all this. And at this point I'm trying very hard to reach them. But most are in their 70s and they don't have a big online presence.

We know now that in so many historical cases, in boarding schools, children's homes, the church and other establishments, people did cover up abuse and shield abusers in order to preserve reputations. I need to know what the teachers remember about all this. And at this point I'm trying very hard to reach them. But most are in their 70s and they don't have a big online presence.

So I find myself getting out pen and paper and writing lots of old-fashioned letters and then waiting for a response. I'm not going to get to speak to any of them any time soon. Former pupils are a little easier to track down, but even then, I'm hitting one dead end after another. People just don't reply, and those who do say they'd rather not get involved.

So I find myself getting out pen and paper and writing lots of old-fashioned letters and then waiting for a response. I'm not going to get to speak to any of them any time soon. Former pupils are a little easier to track down, but even then, I'm hitting one dead end after another. People just don't reply, and those who do say they'd rather not get involved.

At some point, I move on from friends of friends to WhatsApp groups where old boys stay in touch. I'm starting to work my way through them, sending messages to one person after another, until it comes to the attention of the administrator.

At some point, I move on from friends of friends to WhatsApp groups where old boys stay in touch. I'm starting to work my way through them, sending messages to one person after another, until it comes to the attention of the administrator.

My friends forward me the voice memo he posts to the group.

My friends forward me the voice memo he posts to the group.

I even managed to get hold of two former pupils who are headmasters today. Neither of them want to be part of this podcast, not even anonymously. The problem is that Gareth was a misfit, an outsider, and he wasn't much liked by many of his classmates. As far as these guys are concerned, Gareth was lucky enough to end up with this teacher that they all fancied, and now he's complaining about it.

I even managed to get hold of two former pupils who are headmasters today. Neither of them want to be part of this podcast, not even anonymously. The problem is that Gareth was a misfit, an outsider, and he wasn't much liked by many of his classmates. As far as these guys are concerned, Gareth was lucky enough to end up with this teacher that they all fancied, and now he's complaining about it.

So even if they do know something, they aren't super keen to corroborate his story. Of course, there would be no need for witnesses if the school had carried out a proper investigation into the allegations back then. But maybe they did investigate, informally.

So even if they do know something, they aren't super keen to corroborate his story. Of course, there would be no need for witnesses if the school had carried out a proper investigation into the allegations back then. But maybe they did investigate, informally.

Around the end of June or beginning of July 1988, Gareth meets Miss Bowen after school as usual, but on this particular day, he finds her white as a sheet and really shaken up.

Around the end of June or beginning of July 1988, Gareth meets Miss Bowen after school as usual, but on this particular day, he finds her white as a sheet and really shaken up.

Miss Bowen tells Gareth the meeting was with four men. The headmaster, but also Des Tinch, the yearhead who Gareth's mum's been trying to engage with. There's another male teacher there and a man she doesn't recognise. The four of them confront her about the rumours and when she tries to deny it, they say, don't bother because we know.

Miss Bowen tells Gareth the meeting was with four men. The headmaster, but also Des Tinch, the yearhead who Gareth's mum's been trying to engage with. There's another male teacher there and a man she doesn't recognise. The four of them confront her about the rumours and when she tries to deny it, they say, don't bother because we know.

She can finish the last few weeks of the summer term, they tell her, but after the summer holidays, her contract won't be renewed.

She can finish the last few weeks of the summer term, they tell her, but after the summer holidays, her contract won't be renewed.