Assistant Head Teacher Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Pupil

A former assistant head teacher has been sentenced to prison for over two years following her conviction for sexually assaulting a pupil. Catherine Pearl, aged 50, from Abingdon, was employed at Didcot Girls' School while the victim was a student there. She admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a girl as an adult abusing a position of trust during a court hearing in November of the previous year. During a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, Pearl was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. The offences came to light in 2023 when Thames Valley Police were notified, and Pearl was formally charged in October 2024. Detective Constable Sarah Tibble praised the bravery of the victim who came forward and urged others to report any suspicions, regardless of when the crime took place. The police emphasized the importance of victims and witnesses coming forward to ensure justice.