Imagine believing your beloved teacher was battling terminal cancer, undergoing amputations, and then, tragically, passed away. Now imagine finding out it was all an elaborate lie. That’s the shocking reality for former pupils and staff of a Dundee primary school, who were cruelly deceived by their teacher, Lara Simpson.
For two years, Ms. Simpson spun an astonishing web of lies. She pretended to have leukaemia, complete with wigs, crutches, breathing tubes, and even a prosthetic leg. She sent distressing updates about operations, medical trials, and having only six months to live. The deception escalated to a fake wedding where a pupil was asked to be a bridesmaid, and climaxed with Ms. Simpson faking her own death, even emailing colleagues as her “aunt” to announce the tragedy and ask for funeral tributes.
Her “chronic and elaborate deception” traumatized children and colleagues. She was eventually struck off the teaching register by the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS). However, here’s where the story takes another twist: the GTCS initially kept her identity a secret, allowing her to continue working with children.
The truth finally emerged when Ms. Simpson, supposedly dead and an amputee, was spotted running a Parkrun in her hometown of Thurso. An eagle-eyed former colleague recognized her, despite her supposed condition.
Today, Lara Simpson runs a dance school called LAS Dance Collective, offering classes to children as young as three – some even held in primary schools. Questions are now being raised about why her identity was protected and why local councils initially promoted her new business, despite her past. This unbelievable tale is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to child safety.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15316717/Cruel-teacher-children.html
