THE case of Oxfordshire assistant head Adam Williams, jailed for two years yesterday after having an affair with a schoolboy, and the disappearance of Eastbourne schoolgirl Megan Stammers raise disturbing questions about the blurring of previously distinct lines between teachers and schoolchildren.

Cases of this type are on the rise – one is pending against a teacher in Reading as well.

So while we don’t want to come across as FlatEarthers, the rise of social media has eaten away at the barriers that would have traditionally guarded against such things.

Our teachers need to realise the only safeguard now is keeping a professional detachment.