Music

Teachers Standing Too Close

This girl is half his age

I went to see ‘The Police’ in concert once.

My favourite song of theirs is, “Don’t stand so close to me.” It is about a teacher who lusts after one of his students.

It reminds me of strange times from my school days. I will use the lyrics to help me tell my story.

When I was in the 6th form — age sixteen to eighteen years — I knew two girls who were sisters, only a year apart in age. Jackie was in my class and Juliet the one above.

They dated teachers.

Teacher’s Pet

We attended a catholic school run by mainly nuns and women. But the 6th form was amalgamated with the boys catholic school, just five minutes down the road. So for particular subjects we were taught by male teachers at the boys school.

We also had social events. Some held in school halls, and some at the pub around the corner. The younger teachers would often come out drinking with us. Remember, in the UK we were still legally underage where alcohol was concerned.

But, not as far as sex was concerned!

By the Christmas, Juliet was dating Mr. L and Jackie was working on getting Mr. P to take her out.

I can hear you guys shouting out that the teachers were taking advantage of these innocent young girls — and yes they were. But I saw Jackie flirt outrageously with Mr. P. He should have exercised some self-control — but of course he didn’t.

Young teacher, the subject Of schoolgirl fantasy She wants him so badly Knows what she wants to be

Jackie only went out on a few dates with Mr. P, but Juliet fell for Mr. L and had her first ever sexual encounter with him.

Inside her, there’s longing This girl’s an open page Book marking, she’s so close now This girl is half his age

Their relationship developed into a serious romance. At first the rest of the 6th form were cool about it, but then, of course, the bitching began. Some of the other girls were clearly jealous. Not only that, a few glanced around, hoping to nab a teacher of their own.

Her friends are so jealous You know how bad girls get Sometimes it’s not so easy To be the teacher’s pet

But youngish male teachers were in short supply — there was only one other, Mr. K, and he had his eyes on …

me!

Mr. K taught Sociology A’ Level. I must say I was not often attracted by the older man, but as I appeared emotionally mature some were keen on me, even if only to chat.

Mr. K could not keep his eyes away from my legs in class. The other students commented about it regularly. One of the bolder ones saying it to Mr. K’s face. He didn’t deny it.

One day I skipped school, missing my sociology class. That evening, I went down to my local pub and had a drink with Jim. Just as I was popping to the toilets I spotted Mr. K. Or rather he saw me and left his small group to stop me in my tracks.

“I see you are feeling a lot better now, Miss More.” He smirked. “Perhaps well enough for me to buy you a drink?”

I looked up at him. He was tall and quite imposing. A groomed moustache and trim physique. Stepping a little closer, I could almost feel his breath on my face.

Don’t stand, don’t stand so Don’t stand so close to me

I blushed. Embarrassed as suddenly I found this man attractive. His assertiveness maybe? But instead of standing my ground, I took a step back, physically — and mentally, telling him I was out with my boyfriend. But it was too late, as he had noticed the look on my face.

The next week in class I felt very conscious of myself and slightly uncomfortable. A few more days passed and I was walking home from school when his car drew up beside me.

Wet bus stop, she’s waiting His car is warm and dry

He offered me a lift. Of course, he didn’t actually live too far away from my home, after all he had been in my local pub. I nearly accepted. Looking back it was more a lack of confidence and a feeling I would be inching in to the unknown — unprepared — that stopped me jumping into the passenger seat next to him.

I often saw him drive down that road, but he never stopped again. As to being in class with him… He still stared at my legs.

Mr. L and Juliet became very much a couple, and it was difficult for them to keep it a secret. Both had to deal with being bad-mouthed.

Loose talk in the classroom To hurt they try and try Strong words in the staff room The accusations fly

Luckily Juliet finished her schooling and their relationship continued for another six months or so. The whole situation seemed weird to me, the headmaster, Mr L’s boss, must have known. But didn’t do a thing about it.

Looking Back

That all happened many years ago. It was the main topic for gossip amongst my peer group for ages. At the time we really didn’t view the teachers as being inappropriate. We recognised that some were actually only a handful of years older than us, and put aside the fact these men were behaving irresponsibly and taking advantage of their positions. But I do have to say — the girls did not make it easy for them to exert any self-control.

Watch the Video?

Sting, the lead singer of the band, was a teacher once. Perhaps the lyrics were inspired by his own experience. He did have this to say about how he wrote lyrics…

I pluck a title from the air, just free-associating, and then try to figure out a story that it could apply to.

Sting

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