Luis F. Durán Madrid

Daniel Somolinos Madrid

Madrid

Madrid

Updated Wednesday, April 3, 2024-00:10

Yesterday was not a normal day at the Sek Internacional El Castillo private school, in Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid). After this newspaper made public that a music teacher was arrested for alleged sexual assault (touching) of several four-year-old schoolchildren, the center tried to focus on

conveying "security" to parents.

Yesterday afternoon, two civil guards supervised the entrances and exits of the parents (and more than one home helper) who were going to pick up their little ones. The agents even

asked for the documentation

of those people who, without being relatives of the students, were walking through the area.

"I had never seen them, their presence is exceptional," a mother told this newspaper yesterday near the school,

surprised by the uniformed couple

from the Armed Institute. She was also shocked that, both at the entrance and at the exit, those who were at the door ensuring that there were no setbacks were "several directors from the center", when normally "only one of them and some teacher" are present: "I have seen them quite serious...", they confessed.

As EL MUNDO has learned, in recent days there have been moments of tension within this school. One of the parents whose son was allegedly a victim of the aforementioned touching

tried to attack the vice-principal during a meeting at the school during Easter.

And among the rest of the parents, opinions are divided. Some do not hide their discomfort that they have not been personally informed

"until this has appeared in the press

." Nor did they camouflage their disbelief when reading the center's statement where they referred to this matter as "possible inappropriate behavior." "

Even a slap in the face can be inappropriate...

", they said. On the contrary, others pointed out yesterday that "the Management at all times has been quite clear in notifying what happened."

"Today [yesterday], my son's teacher called each parent in particular

to reassure us and clarify the doubts we had

. The school was also open during Easter so that those who deemed it appropriate could come and ask or ask something," said one mother. However, another said that the center's statement arrived late and when the rumors had already spread. "On top of that they send a letter where they do not clarify anything," she added.

There were also other parents who said that the center has had several problems with the behavior of some minors who had tried to cover themselves. "There are many rumors and they say that there is a lack of teachers. Some teachers complain about the workload and that more teachers would be needed," said another woman, after picking up her daughter.

Some of these parents found out about the event at Easter.

It was word of mouth

that made this rumor spread like wildfire. Rumor, it must be said, that became reality when, "almost immediately", the school sent a statement last Monday explaining what happened.

Although the arrest of the music teacher, who taught piano, trumpet and in the Primary choir, occurred on the Friday of Holy Week - since, until then, he was outside Spain on a trip -, it

has already been He had filed a complaint against him

days before, after a father came to school to express what his son had revealed to him: that his teacher had touched

his private parts below the waist.

For the moment, as this newspaper has learned, the center has suspended school music classes for early childhood education students. Likewise, sources from Sek Internacional El Castillo reveal that

the girlfriend of the detained professor also works as a teacher at this center.

Meanwhile, the arrested person has been released

with charges for four crimes of sexual assault

of minors under 16 years of age. In addition, three precautionary measures are imposed: withdrawal of the passport and prohibition of leaving Spain, distancing of 500 meters from minors and school and prohibition of working with minors.