Advertisement

Principal will expel students 'who have a boyfriend or girlfriend'

A leading UK public school principal has said he will expel students who have a boyfriend or girlfriend during school.

Principal at Ruthin School in north Wales Toby Belfield has told staff that he "strongly disapproves" of students developing romantic relationships with each other at school.

Mr Belfield said that he would give them "worse reference" for university if students were to start a romantic relationship, Telegraph UK reports.

In an email to staff, Mr Belfield warned them that they need to be "more vigilant" about potential student liaisons.

Mr Belfield said he doesn't agree with romantic relationships in school. Source: Ruthin School
Mr Belfield said he doesn't agree with romantic relationships in school. Source: Ruthin School

"School is not the place for romantic relationships – ever. I strongly disapprove of any boyfriend/girlfriend relationships — and it will always affect any university reference I write (meaning — any student in a relationship will definitely get a worse reference from me)."

Mr Belfield said he would be more than willing to draw up a list of Year 11 students, usually aged between 15 and 17, who are in relationships and said that they can "expect to find new schools in September".

He added that he will "not hesitate" to expel students that have "any sexual contact" in school.

"Relationships can start at university — not at Ruthin School," he wrote.

"There are plenty of students that wish to attend Ruthin School without the diversion of romance — and these students can replace those students whose focus is on bf/gf relationships."

Ruthin school is a prestigious private school. Source: Google Maps
Ruthin school is a prestigious private school. Source: Google Maps

Mr Belfield told The Telegraph why he feels strongly about taking the tough stance on relationships.

"Parents choose Ruthin School because it is a top ranking academic institution," he said. "In my experience, students who are in a relationship, whilst at school, are at danger of academically underachieving.

"Therefore, if they devote their time to their studies, rather than the emotional turmoil connected with teenage romance, they will achieve higher grades and go to better universities."

Parents pay $60,000 a year for their child to attend the school.