How can Church of England theological college, Oak Hill, move ‘toward a healthier community’ if it continues to refuse to answer media questions about the bullying allegations against one of its Vice Principals?
Premier Christians News last November broke the story of the allegations by a female former staff member at the conservative evangelical college against the Revd Dr Matthew Sleeman:
‘Sydney Tooth, previously director of Postgraduate Studies and lecturer in New Testament and Greek at the Christian training college in north London, has said she suffered extreme anxiety and depression after experiencing treatment which she describes as bullying by the college’s vice principal, Matthew Sleeman.’
The Premier story quoted a statement from Sleeman:
‘I take concerns raised against me seriously. The specific allegations from Sydney put to me by Premier that I “bullied her, shouted at other staff members and intimidated students” have been fully investigated by the College and I have been cleared of them.’
But after the story came out Tooth, a member of Oak Hill’s teaching staff from August 2021 to July 2025, contradicted Sleeman’s statement. On November 20 she posted on X: ‘I also want to note two things. 1. I have NEVER received an apology from Sleeman. Ever. 2. There was no formal process that cleared him. I raised a grievance but had to drop it as a condition of accepting my {financial} settlement.’
Anglican Ink has put the following questions to James Robson, Oak Hill’s Principal; Jonny Reid, Director of Engagement; and financier Simon Pilcher, chairman of the Kingham Hill Trust, which owns the college:
Is the college prepared to resolve the apparent contradiction between Matthew Sleeman’s statement that he was cleared of the bullying allegations levelled against him by Sydney Tooth and her statement on X that she could not pursue her complaint because it would have compromised her settlement?
Was Sleeman subject to an investigation by the Kingham Hill Trust over separate complaints against him? Has there been a confusion between this investigation in which he was apparently cleared (or he wouldn’t still be in post) and her complaint? Was her complaint investigated at all and if so, what was the outcome?
AI also asked to what extent has Oak Hill’s relationship with the various placement churches in and around London where its students have opportunities to gain ministry experience been impacted by the coverage?
Reid said the college would not comment on ‘individual HR {human resources} matters’, despite the fact that Sleeman himself had made a statement to Premier about the college investigation which he claims cleared him.
Sleeman, according to the C of E’s National Register of Clergy, has permission to officiate from the Bishop of St Albans; Robson is licensed by the Bishop of London. Both dioceses have been contacted for comment about what explanations they have received from these licensed ministers about the bullying allegations at Oak Hill.
In response to the Premier story the college put out an ‘Update on our Culture’ last November from Robson and the chairman of the Oak Hill Council, Jeremy Anderson:
‘When James Robson began as Principal in October 2023, organisational health was identified as a central priority by the College Council – an area in which he brings significant experience. It was widely recognised that the College had faced difficult and well-publicised challenges, and that these needed to be understood and addressed for us to move forward well. Culture is shaped slowly, and we know we are still in that process, but the steps taken are moving us toward a healthier community.’
But with the contradiction between Sleeman’s and Tooth’s statements over the bullying allegations still unresolved, how can the college expect to command the confidence its needs from the C of E churches that provide its ordinands and from the wider Church?
Julian Mann, a former Church of England vicar, is an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire, UK. He was an ordinand at Oak Hill from 1993 to 1996.
