Male teacher resigns at Susanna Reid and Rachel Weisz's former girls' school which costs £24,000 a year after ex-pupils reported historic sex abuse

  • St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith became mired in abuse scandal last week
  • At least two ex pupils claimed they were abused between 1970s and 1990s
  • Male teacher at centre of allegations has now resigned 'in best interests of all' 
  • High Mistress, Sarah Fletcher, said he would be referred to 'relevant authorities'   

A male teacher from Susanna Reid and Rachel Weisz's former school has resigned amid allegations of historic sex abuse.

St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith, West London, which costs £24,000 a year to attend, became mired in an abuse scandal last week after at least two former pupils claimed they were sexually abused there between the 1970s and 1990s. 

Now, an unnamed teacher who was implicated in the scandal has left the private school with immediate effect. 

He will now be referred to the 'relevant authorities', although police reportedly have no immediate plans to investigate the claims. 

Former pupils of the school, called Old Paulinas, include Margaret Thatcher's daughter, Carol, Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid and actress Rachel Weisz. There is no suggestion any of them suffered abuse. 

Susanna Reid and Rachel Weisz's former girls' school has been hit by a historic sex abuse claims sparked by Hollywood's #MeToo social media campaign
High Mistress Sarah Fletcher

A teacher has resigned from £24,000-a-year St Paul's Girls' School (left) after High Mistress, Sarah Fletcher (right), revealed that ex pupils had made allegations of sex abuse

Susanna Reid
Rachel Weisz

Former pupils include Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid (left) and actress Rachel Weisz (right). There is no suggestion either suffered abuse

The revelations came last week when the school's High Mistress, Sarah Fletcher, sent a letter to former pupils, describing the allegations and urging other alumni to help identify those responsible.

But in a second letter, Ms Fletcher told former pupils that a serving member of staff at the centre of allegations had decided to resign 'in the best interests of all'.

She added that Scotland Yard had told staff there were no plans to investigate the claims. The letter did not state how many allegations had now been made.

A spokesman for the school confirmed the resignation to MailOnline.

They added: 'The school recently contacted former pupils asking anyone who had suffered abuse or inappropriate behaviour during their time at St Paul’s to come forward, if they felt able to.

'Following information received concerning events several decades ago, we can confirm that a teacher has resigned.

'The information was immediately passed to the Police, who concluded that they do not intend to take the matter further at this time.

'The school will refer the individual to the relevant statutory authorities so that their suitability to teach and work with children can be assessed.'  

MailOnline has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.   

In the original letter to the Old Paulinas, Ms Fletcher warned former pupils to identify people who are responsible for abuse, lauding the school for having an 'open culture'

In the original letter to the Old Paulinas, Ms Fletcher warned former pupils to identify people who are responsible for abuse, lauding the school for having an 'open culture'

The first letter, revealed by the Huffington Post earlier this month, read: 'They [former pupils] have told us of past sexual abuse at St Paul's.

'Two wrote from personal experience, others about what they had heard from friends. The allegations relate to a period spanning from the 1970s to 1990s.

'We immediately passed the information onto the relevant authorities, and we remain in close contact with them.' 

PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOL

St Paul's Girls' School is one of the most prestigious in the country and regularly tops exam leaderboards.

The fee per term for the academic year is £7,978 and £8,577 for new entrants to the senior school (Year 12).

In 2014, 99.3 per cent of GCSEs were graded at A*s or As with 93.6 per cent graded at A* alone. 

This was the highest ever A* percentage achieved by the school and in the country. 

In 2016, the school achieved the highest A Level results in its history with 60 per cent of entries achieving an A* grade and 93.8 per cent of entries achieving A* or A grades. 

Former pupils, called Old Paulinas, include Margaret Thatcher's daughter, Carol, Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid and actress Rachel Weisz. 

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The allegations were sparked by Hollywood's #MeToo social media campaign.

The #MeToo campaign was launched after a relentless series of accusations emerged by men and women who say they were victimised by high-powered figures in the entertainment industry.

Movie producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K. are among the most prominent names to have been accused.

Five women detailed sexual misconduct accusations against Emmy-winning comedian Louis C.K. in The New York Times on Thursday. 

He admitted to the misconduct alleged against him in a statement on Friday and apologised for his actions.

The New York Times reported in October that Weinstein, 65, had reached eight previously undisclosed settlements with women who accused him of sexual harassment and unwanted physical contact.

The New Yorker magazine reported that 13 women had claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them. Weinstein has denied all of the accusations against him.

Earlier this month, Spacey apologised to actor Anthony Rapp, who had accused him of trying to seduce him in 1986 when Rapp was 14. Spacey's representatives later said he was seeking treatment.

The allegations have inspired an online campaign, tagged #MeToo, that has encouraged men and women in all walks of life to reveal their own experiences with sexual harassment and assault, often years after they occurred.

Movie producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K. are among the most prominent names to have been accused

Movie producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K. are among the most prominent names to have been accused

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