Last modified on
Nov 10, 2022 12: 53 GMT
Gemma Strong
Shock for Kate Middleton and Prince William as teacher at Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s school, Thomas’s Battersea, is arrested
The Prince and Princess of Wales will be distressed by the latest news from Thomas’s Battersea.
MORE: Inside Prince George’s first day at school
The royal couple’s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, both attended the school up until earlier this year, when they moved to Lambrook School near Ascot.
WATCH: Princess Charlotte Arrives For Her First Day At School At Thomas’s
It has now been revealed that the Deputy Head of Pastoral of Thomas’s, Matthew Smith, has pled guilty to child exploitation offences.
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Notably, the charges do not relate to children at the prestigious school. Mr Smith only joined the school in September, by which time both the Prince and Princess had left.
Mr Smith only started at Thomas’s Battersea in September
As soon as the school learned of the charges, Mr Smith’s employment at the school was terminated with immediate effect, before both his court appearance and guilty plea.
Mr Smith, from Southwark, pleaded guilty to distributing indecent images of children, and inciting the sexual exploitation of children. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date at Southwark Crown Court.
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In a statement, the school confirmed: “We have been shocked and distressed to learn of these charges. The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is, and always will be, our top priority.
Little Prince George pictured on his first day at school
“As there are ongoing criminal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time other than to say that there is no suggestion that the offences relate to Mr Smith’s employment at Thomas’s or to any current or former pupils of the school.
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“As soon as the school learned of the charges, Mr Smith’s employment at the school, which commenced in September this year, was terminated with immediate effect.”
George, Charlotte and Louis now attend Lambrook School
The school accommodates boys and girls between four and 13; prospective two and three-year-olds are called in for an assessment to determine their suitability, although the test relies on natural intelligence rather than academia.
Fees are set at £5,868 per term at age four and increase to £6,628 from the age of seven.
Every day starts with a handshake, and good eye contact is also important, with children expected to be “unfailingly courteous and polite”. Emphasis is also placed on the need to ‘Be Kind’ – the school’s most important rule, according to its website.
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