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Teaching assistant suspended for “inappropriate behaviour”

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Summary of story from The Sentinel, March 22, 2011

A teaching assistant has been suspended from one of the Staffordshire’s top state schools over allegations that she sent a 16-year-old pupil inappropriate text messages and Facebook comments.

Now Cathy Holdcroft, from Wolstanton, has been told to remain at home while Madeley High carry out an internal investigation into her conduct.

She was arrested by Staffordshire police following the complaint, but the force confirmed she has been released from bail and will not face any criminal charges.

Concerns were raised last month after Jake Gerrard, a GCSE pupil at the school, claimed he had received mobile phone calls and messages from Mrs Holdcroft. He says he did not reply to them.

One comment sent via social networking site Facebook is alleged to have read: “I miss your smiley face xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mrs H xxxxxxxxxxxxx”.

His guardian, Nick Wadeson was made aware of the messages and was horrified. Mr Wadeson said Jake had previously asked if he could get rid of his mobile phone, but gave no explanation for why he no longer wanted to use it.

Eddie Wilkes, headteacher of Madeley High, also said he could not reveal any details about the case.

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