Former student breaks silence about dark past at prestigious Kent school
A successful businessman reveals decades-old abuse at a well-known private school in Kent. His story connects to wider institutional problems in British education and religious organizations
The recent step-down of Canterburys Archbishop brought up memories of a long-hidden story about James‚ whose life changed at Sutton Valence School in Kent
In the mid-70s‚ school chaplain David Barnes worked at this well-known institution where he picked-out 13-year old students for special attention. One fall evening (after giving drinks and smokes to young James) the chaplain started what became a terrible pattern of abuse
I now know thats classic grooming; but at the time you think youre a grown up: someones treating me the way I want to be treated
The after-effects hit hard - James grades dropped and he started acting-out in different ways:
- Drinking gin in woods
- Using aerosols till passing out
- Smoking weed
- Breaking school rules on purpose
A chance meeting at a pub in 2012 made James face his past when he saw Barnes sitting there. This led him to seek help‚ talk with his wife and start healing. After Barnes death‚ the school planned to hold a memorial service; but James anonymous letter stopped that
Last year‚ Sutton Valence settled the case and made a formal sorry. The schools spokesman said they changed their rules to protect kids better now. James gave his settlement money to help other survivors and wants more people to speak up - so bad people cant hide anymore