NORD ANGLIA HOT TO TROT

Lessons in love
By Beth Hale, Rebecca English and Tom Rawstorne 5 June 2003
As a leading 'progressive' school, Bury Lawn has always prided itself on fostering a friendly atmosphere.
In the words of its prospectus, it promotes 'shared experience' between teacher and child.
But it seems that some at the £2,345-aterm institution have been taking its teachings a little too literally.
For both the head boy and the head girl have forged relationships with teachers - and one of the teachers is the daughter of the headmistress.
On Monday, chemistry teacher Rob Tierney, 28, was suspended after 17-year-old head girl Sapna Parekh, who is in the middle of her A-levels, revealed to shocked staff that they were 'madly in love'.
Now drama teacher Chrissy Kiff, 26, daughter of the headmistress, has been forced to admit she has strong feelings for handsome head boy Duncan Roberts, 18. Duncan is said to be equally taken by the stunning, 6ft brunette.
The head, Hilary Kiff, tried to play down the situation yesterday, saying: 'I know the two relationships sound bad together, but only one seems serious. It is not true that it is a hotbed of happenings at Bury Lawn.' However, details of the scandal have swept through the 450-pupil school, on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, sparking concern for the welfare of the youngsters involved.
Staff say the parents of 'brilliant and beautiful' Sapna, who was taking an exam yesterday, are devastated. Kanaiyalal and Meena Parekh, devout Hindus who run an IT company and live in nearby Flitwick, were alerted
by the school on Monday.
'Like any devoted parents they are very angry and upset at Mr Tierney and extremely worried for their daughter, especially at such a crucial time in her education,' said school chairman Chris Symington. 'They also have quite strong religious beliefs, which lead them to find difficulties with the relationship.'
Mr Parekh was said to have shed tears as he said: 'In my culture this is so devastating that both my wife and I just cannot face anybody.'
According to the school, Mr Tierney taught Sapna physics up to GCSE. Mrs Kiff said she suspected Sapna may have had a crush on him because of a 'silly' text message she sent him when she was 16 but 'no action was taken because, at that time, I had no evidence of a relationship'.
The school, which is ndisabledive and prides itself on encouraging children to thrive whatever their ability, was finally alerted in a letter from a concerned parent. Mr Symington said: 'The pupil admitted that she and
Rob Tierney were involved in a relationship, instigated by her.
She insisted it was not sexual but that they were boyfriend and girlfriend. She was in love with him and wanted to be with him.
'This young lady is deeply upset about the pain this news has caused her parents and the embarrassment it is bringing on the school.
'She hasn't heard from Mr Tierney since Monday.'
Mr Tierney could not be contacted. He handed in his notice at Easter and was due to leave at the end of term anyway. 'We are furious with him,' Mr Symington said. 'He should have known better.'
But Mr Symington insisted that the friendship between the head boy and Miss Kiff was 'another kettle of fish'.
Miss Kiff, who has appeared in TV's Peak Practice, recently finished a six-month theatre tour and has been teaching part-time,but hopes to join the staff full-time.
She said: 'I have a lot of feelings for Duncan. But we decided we would not let the relationship develop until he left school.'
And her mother insisted: 'They are just good friends. They have been honest about it.' At her home in Silverstone-Northamptonshire, Duncan's mother, Janet Roberts, agreed, saying: 'Chrissy is a lovely girl and a regular visitor here.
'Duncan hopes to go university and I hope all this doesn't spoil his exam results.'