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February 10, 2007 (David Watkinson / This Is Lancashire) - A teacher at a church high school is being investigated following complaints about her "lurid" gothic vampire websites. English and drama teacher Samantha Goldstone has agreed to stay away from St Christopher's C of E High School, Accrington, during the probe. Investigations centre on the part-time gothic fiction writer's personal websites and other sites that promote her book and poems. One section of her book, written under the pen name Paigan Stone, refers to a fictional student drugging a vampire student. Her personal MySpace website, which has now been taken off public display, included: Provocative images and videos. References to her gothic writing which she boasts contains "adult content with vampire eroticism, violence and blood lust." A link to her published debut novel which includes references to a 17th Century vampire who lusts after women after being drugged with ecstasy. Alasdair Coates, headteacher of St Christopher's, said: "Concerns have been raised with me regarding the conduct of a member of staff and content on the internet. As soon as we got the complaints we took immediate action and the governors have been informed. "These concerns have to be investigated appropriately and, while we do this, the member of staff has agreed to stay away from school. "This is not an indication of guilt as we have not completed the investigation. There has been no formal suspension. "Pupils and staff work hard to achieve high standards and expect us to look into allegations. However it would be unfair to discuss the exact nature of the allegations or identify the member of staff." Asked whether it was inappropriate for a Christian school to hire someone who writes gothic novels he said: "At this stage it would not be appropriate to comment as an investigation is ongoing and we must remain open minded." Mrs Goldstone, who has been at the school for three years, lives in north Manchester and is married with one child. She said: "I've been told by the school that I cannot comment on the matter." Visitors to her website are told she is an "English and drama teacher in Lancashire." It also says she has appeared in six anthologies for her poetry and short stories. Her book is widely available on websites including popular sites like Amazon.com. On her website she wrote: "The recent success of Vampire novel Gabriele Caccini has been the fulfilment of a lifelong dream." The site reads: "Like all good author's she drew on her own knowledge and passions to write it." Lesley Ham, a Lancashire negotiating secretary for teaching union the NASUWT said: "I welcome this investigation as it is no doubt causing worry to parents and their children. "In writing lurid material as a teacher you would struggle to maintain professionalism and standing amongst the impressionable young people you are charged with teaching." Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe, whose daughter attends the school in Queen's Road West, Accrington, said the revelations were shocking. He said: "Concerns have been raised and I am sure that Mr Coates will deal with the matter." Peter Ballard, the director of education for the Blackburn Diocese said: "We support the school in pursuing this matter." St Christopher's has over 900 pupils and was described in its last Ofsted report in 2002 as "a good school with very effective leadership." The school's websites says that religious worship and religious teaching are important aspects of the curriculum.
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Follow up: Hair-raising venture for ‘Miss Vampira’
May 24, 2007 (Middleton Guardian / Dan Thompson) -- A FORMER teacher who caused a stir by writing steamy vampire fiction has started up a new hair-raising venture in Middleton.
Samantha Goldstone walked away from her job teaching English and drama at a Church of England high school after bosses launched an investigation into her erotic gothic literature and websites, which warn of images and videos of 'adult content with vampire eroticism, violence and bloodlust'.
Now the mother-of-one, nicknamed Miss Vampira by former students, has turned her back on education and is starting afresh by opening her own hair and beauty salon on Hollin Lane - called Gothika.
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Mrs Goldstone, a published author and qualified beautician, said: "I just wanted to get back to my previous career. The last couple of months have been a very upsetting time for me and my family. I couldn't go back to teaching after that."
The furore surrounding her position at St Christopher’s High School, in Accrington, arose in February when two parents complained about her website and myspace page.
The websites, which warn of adult content, contain photographs of Mrs Goldstone and videos reading of her reading out "sexy" gothic poetry.
They also had links to her debut novel Gabriele Caccini, written under her pen name Paigan Stone, which includes references to a 17th Century vampire who lusts after a Manchester University student when drugged with ecstasy.
When she left the school by mutual agreement after the investigation, she was inundated with messages of support from her pupils, who thought her "an excellent teacher".
Mrs Goldstone, from Whitefield, said: "I had a lot of support from children, parents and fellow teachers, which I found very moving. I had over 300 messages of support."
She added: "It was a difficult time and I was in limbo but now I'm looking forward to getting back into the real world. It's really enjoyable, I don't have to watch what I say. I'm looking forward to hopefully making it a huge success."
Mrs Goldstone is currently writing the second novel of her "The Vampire Gene" trilogy, called Lucrezia, while continuing to work at Gothika.
The salon offers standard beauty treatments, along with holistic treatments, Indian head massages, reflexology and Reiki. The salon also has special packages for proms, parties and weddings. For more information, call 643 4201.
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