Exclusive:
Jonathan Ullmer’s new book, called Jumping Out of the Window, was put up for sale online by Waterstones despite him being struck off in 2019 and banned from teaching for life
A headmaster who is banned from teaching for life has published a memoir offering tips on leadership and education.
Jonathan Ullmer’s book called Jumping Out of the Window has been listed online at Waterstones and WH Smith for £12.87.
He was struck off in 2019 after a tribunal found he had sexual activity with a male pupil in the 1990s.
The victim said Ullmer, now 63, demanded naked massages and shared a bed with him when he taught at Cecil Jones High School in Southend, Essex. Ullmer denied the claims but his MBE – awarded in 2014 for services to education – was taken away in 2023.
One former pupil said: “It’s disgusting he thinks he can write a book advising others on teaching and then for major companies to sell it online. It’s a real insult to his victim.”
Contacted by us, publisher Austin Macauley said it had suspended publication with immediate effect. WH Smith said it had been removed from sale and Waterstones is reviewing the situation.
Ullmer said: “Police naturally investigated and found no case to answer. I have consistently denied the allegations.”
Contacted by us, publisher Austin Macauley said it had suspended publication with immediate effect. WH Smith said it had been removed from sale and Waterstones is reviewing the situation.
Ullmer said: “Police naturally investigated and found no case to answer. I have consistently denied the allegations.”
A WHSmith spokesperson said: “An error by the company responsible for operating our website resulted in this book being temporarily displayed. It has been removed from sale with no copies sold. We apologise for any offence caused.”
The publisher has suspended publication of the book after we alerted them to its author.
A spokesperson for Austin Macauley Publishers said: “Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We were not previously aware of the allegations you have outlined regarding the author.
“As a responsible publisher, we take these matters seriously. We have decided to suspend the publication of the title with immediate effect. We will investigate this matter and keep you updated as the matter progresses.”
Waterstones said when it is made aware that the content of a book may be objectionable, we will of course review immediately. It said it was not for sale in stores and was only listed online.
Mr Ullmer said in a statement he had fallen victim to “false allegations”.
He said: “The police naturally investigated and found no case to answer and I have consistently denied the allegations.
“The TRA took no account of years of excellent pastoral and other service to education which made large numbers of staff and ex students nominate me for an MBE. The last school I worked in was graded as having top international practice in 17 out of 19 areas and the UK school I led was rated as excellent in all areas including pastoral work. In addition we won the Times Educational Supplement award for Boarding School of the Year.”
