Solicitor & Team Leader, Abuse Claims
In November 2022, 10 former Swalcliffe Park pupils took legal action against the specialist Oxfordshire boarding school after suffering alleged physical, sexual and emotional abuse from staff members and classmates between the years of 1975 and 2008.
In this article, we’ll look at how the former students were affected by their time at Swalcliffe Park as well as the school’s response. We’ll also explain what you can do if you’ve been affected by any form of abuse at Swalcliffe Park or indeed anywhere else.
Although the details of the allegations made against Swalcliffe Park have not been widely shared in detail, it’s clear to see that the claimants’ time at the school has caused them great distress over the years. One of the alleged perpetrators named is the school’s former principal, George Pettingale, who reportedly worked at the ‘special school’ for three decades, starting in 1952. Mr Pettingale has since died in 2006.
One of the men who came forward was a student at the school from the years of 1975 to1980. He has said that his experience at the school has “haunted” him throughout his life. He has suffered with anxiety and depression and even contemplated suicide and engaged in self harm when he was feeling at his lowest. He went on to say:
“For many years I have had to carry this burden but now that my complaints are finally being listened to, I feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The claim for compensation which was submitted on behalf of the 10 men pursuing the legal action is said to be for the sum of £1 million.
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A man who was molested on multiple occasions by one of his teachers whilst attending a prestigious private school in Surrey has spoken of his ordeal for the first time after his abuser was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Christopher Pickup, a now 76-year-old retired teacher, sexually abused 19 pupils whilst working at two separate Oldham schools in the 1970s and 80s. The boys Pickup assaulted were all between the ages of eight and 11 at the time the abuse took place.
In February 2022, former social worker Gordon Bennett was found by Liverpool Crown Court to have committed childhood sexual abuse on four boys who were living at Greystone Heath in the 1970s and 1980s.
BBC News. (2023, November 9). Former Swalcliffe Park School pupils file £1m claim over alleged abuse. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-63460105 (Accessed: 14/12/2023)
Oxford Mail. (2022, December 6). Former Swalcliffe Park School pupils file £1m claim over alleged abuse. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23094251.former-swalcliffe-park-school-pupils-file-1m-claim-alleged-abuse/ (Accessed: 14/12/2023)
1. Simpson Millar LLP. (n.d.). Child Abuse in Schools. Retrieved from https://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/abuse-claims-solicitors/child-abuse-in-schools/ (Accessed: 14/12/2023)
Simpson Millar LLP. (n.d.). Abuse Claims Solicitors. Retrieved from https://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/abuse-claims-solicitors/ (Accessed: 14/12/2023)
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood). (n.d.). NAPAC. Retrieved from https://napac.org.uk (Accessed: 14/12/2023)
Support for Survivors. (n.d.). Support for Survivors. Retrieved from https://supportforsurvivors.org (Accessed: 14/12/2023)
Nathalie began her legal career in 2009 after completing her law degree at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2008. She has specialised in abuse claims since 2010, and went on to qualify as a Solicitor in 2013.
Following her qualification Nathalie specialised in a range of personal injury claims including abuse claims and criminal injury claims. She has acted for clients who have suffered life-changing injuries such as brain injuries.
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