BERNARD GREEN SHOCKS AMPLEFORTH WITH INAPPROPRIATE ACTS AGAINST SLEEPING PUPIL

In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the prestigious Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, Father Bernard Green, a long-standing history teacher and housemaster, was accused of an inappropriate act involving a sleeping 13-year-old student. The events unfolded in November 1995, when Green was alleged to have touched the boy while he was asleep in a dormitory, prompting immediate action from school authorities.

Following the incident, the headmaster of Ampleforth College, Father Leo Chamberlain, issued a statement confirming that Green had been suspended without delay. He explained, "The housemaster had entered a dormitory and touched a sleeping boy in a manner which he now recognises was inappropriate." The school launched an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the matter, emphasizing that their primary concern was the welfare of the affected student. Parents of the pupils involved were kept fully informed of the situation as it developed.

Father Green, who had been teaching history at the college for 18 years and serving as a housemaster for three, was a well-known figure within the school community. The incident prompted the school to communicate with parents through written notices over the weekend, and later, to make a public statement to prevent any misinformation from spreading through the media.

Ampleforth College, renowned for its strong Catholic ethos and its affiliation with the Benedictine monastic community—the largest in Europe—has a history that includes notable alumni such as Cardinal Basil Hume, Piers Paul Read, the Duke of Norfolk, and Lord Nolan. The institution, established in 1802, is situated adjacent to the Benedictine monastery and abbey of St Laurence. It caters to approximately 550 boys, including around 20 day pupils and over 500 boarders aged between 13 and 18. Tuition fees are approximately £3,110 per term for day students and £3,840 for boarders.

Over the years, the school has faced its share of controversy. In June 1994, police revealed that six pupils had been arrested on suspicion of drug offenses. Earlier, in 1990, four boys were expelled, and six others suspended following the discovery of a drug ring within the school. Two sixth-form students were later prosecuted for purchasing cannabis at a York wine bar and supplying it to fellow pupils over a six-month period. They admitted their involvement and received conditional discharges.

Despite these past issues, a school spokesperson stated that it was unlikely police would become involved in the current case. The future of Father Green at Ampleforth would depend entirely on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, which aims to determine the full extent of the allegations and whether any further action is warranted.