Public school headmaster backtracks threats of expulsion for pupils found in relationships

He has now softened his stance

The headteacher of a leading public school in Wales has come under fire for announcing his decision to expel students who have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

In a leaked email, Toby Belfield, the principal at the £34,500-a-year Ruthin School in north Wales, stated that he “strongly disapproves” of students engaging in romantic relationships - as it distracts them from their studies.

Taking a serious stance, Belfield claimed that he would compile a list of students in relationships and these students should “expect to find new schools in September.”

Additionally, in his email, Mr Belfield also threatened poor university references for students involved in a relationship, stating: “It will always affect any university reference I write (meaning - any student in a relationship will definitely get a worse reference from me).”

However, after facing intense backlash for his decision after his email was published by the Daily Post, Mr Belfield has now backtracked on his claims.

Changing his stance, Mr Belfield said: “If a student was achieving top grades (ie predicted 4/5 A* at A Level), then I would not hamper their chances of a university place by writing a less favourable reference, due to them having a boyfriend/girlfriend.”

He continued: “My email was a generic one to all students, to try to dissuade them from being in a teenage relationship.”

And despite ending his initial email, “School is not the place for romantic relationships - ever,” - Belfield has now announced that pupils at the Ruthin School “will not be summarily expelled for being in a relationship.”

Rather, according to Mr Belfield, “they will be given the opportunity to review their current romantic situation, and my belief is that they (and their parents) will put their education first.”

Originally targeting students aged 15-17, Principal Belfield’s email provoked anger from parents who pay the costly yearly admission for their children to attend the 700-year-old Ruthin School.

However, he defended his original stance by claiming he was acting in the best interests of the parents of his students.

He stated: “Parents choose Ruthin School because it is a top ranking academic institution,” and “In my experience, students who are in a relationship, whilst at school, are at danger of academically underachieving.”

The Independent has reached out to the Ruthin School for comment.