Latest news with #TeachingRegulationAgency
ITV News
3 days ago
- ITV News
Former teacher in Grimsby barred from profession after 'sexual activity with pupil'
A former teacher has been barred from teaching ever again after a disciplinary panel found he had sexual relations with a pupil and sent inappropriate messages and photos to another. A Teaching Regulation Agency professional conduct panel has issued an order to ban Cheyne Phillips, 34, who taught at Healing Academy near Grimsby between 2016 and 2022, from teaching indefinitely. Findings included that Mr Phillips fell significantly short of professional standards, sent comments of a sexual or inappropriate nature, and had sexual relations with one pupil. One message Mr Phillips is alleged to have sent to one of the pupils, highlighted by the panel for its inappropriate nature, said: "Times ticking baby cakes [emoji] u either want ur eyes to water or you don't [emoji].' The Harbour Learning Trust, which runs the school says the incident was dealt with swiftly under a previous headteacher and chief executive officer, and it complied fully with the investigation. The Teaching Regulation Agency panel viewed the misconduct findings as particularly serious as they "include a finding of sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and activity involving viewing and possessing indecent photographs of a child". Both pupils reported Mr Phillips' behaviour towards them changed as they entered the last months of their time at school. Screenshots showed Instagram messages between Mr Phillips and one of the pupils, including him sending one which read: 'Is this the part where I get lucky and get a few pics and videos? [emojis].' Messages with the other pupil were alleged to have occurred by Snapchat, a social media app where screenshotting notifies the other person of this action. Consequently, the pupil copied and pasted messages sent by Mr Phillips, such as 'Times ticking baby cakes'. The panel found Mr Phillips was sexually motivated in pursuing entirely inappropriate lines of communication with both pupils. It was found on the balance of probabilities he had sexual relations with one pupil on one or more occasions, and received one or more explicit photographs of the pupil. This pupil stated in her evidence that Mr Phillips would request explicit images. This was not a finding of fact made by the panel, but it did find Mr Phillips requested pictures from the other pupil. There was no doubt from the panel that both pupils had been harmed and Mr Phillips' actions "were having a serious and continued effect" on them. The teaching ban will last for life, unless it is appealed at High Court within 28 days of the order's issuing. Mr Phillips chose not to attend the hearing as he did not feel in a position to properly respond to the allegations, the panel heard. But in a written statement, he had denied the allegations and a large amount of the factual assertions surrounding them. He also stated regardless of the outcome, he did not wish, or intend, to return to teaching. In a statement, Harbour Learning Trust, which runs Healing Academy, said it is :committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all of our students and expects all our staff to share this unwavering commitment". It continued: "We wish to make it unequivocally clear that the behaviours attributed to this individual do not align with the values, professional standards, or expectations held by our Trust. "We are deeply committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for all students, and any actions that undermine this commitment are viewed with the utmost seriousness. "We can confirm that this incident was dealt with swiftly by the Trust, under the previous CEO and Headteacher, and the school and Trust have complied fully with the investigation. "Harbour Learning Trust do not condone behaviour that compromises the well-being, trust, or safety of our students in any way. Our primary concern remains the protection and education of the young people in our care."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Teacher banned over sexual contact with ex-pupils
A teacher has been banned from the profession for life after a panel ruled on the "balance of probabilities" that he had sex with one former pupil and sent inappropriate messages to another. Cheyne Phillips, 34, was a PE teacher at Healing Academy, a secondary school near Grimsby, at the time. A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency was told he denied the allegations and "a large amount of the factual assertions surrounding them". However, during a public hearing held between 6 and 9 May, the panel found Mr Phillips had exploited his position of trust by pursuing "highly inappropriate relationships and sexual misconduct with children". Mr Phillips had "spoken to and repeatedly and persistently corresponded via e-mail, Instagram and Snapchat" with the former pupils "in ways that were sexual and inappropriate", the panel found. In one of the cases, this "ultimately led" to "repeated and serious sexual misconduct". Mr Phillips, who did not attend the hearing, worked at the academy from July 2016 to July 2022. In a statement, the trust that runs the school said the allegations were "dealt with swiftly" and it had "complied fully" with an investigation. The panel heard allegations that Mr Phillips had developed inappropriate relationships with two former pupils, known as A and B, after they left the school. Both said his behaviour towards them had changed as they entered the final months of their time there. Pupil A said Mr Phillips had followed her on Instagram after she left and started messaging her. The panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, he had made a number of comments of a sexual or inappropriate nature, sent at least one photograph of himself and requested images of her. He had also attempted to meet her and, in one message, told her "ur a secret". Pupil B said Mr Phillips had winked at her in revision sessions towards the end of her time at school, before emailing "something flirty" after she had left. They then exchanged messages on Instagram and Snapchat and he asked to meet her. The panel stated that it was satisfied from the evidence that he had received at least one explicit photograph from her and asked, "am I going to make the first move, or are you?" It found, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Phillips had kissed, had sex and engaged in other sexual activity with Pupil B. The panel found Mr Phillips' actions breached professional standards and safeguarding guidance that classifies children as everyone under the age of 18. He was "guilty of unacceptable professional conduct" that "may bring the profession into disrepute". There were "repeated breaches of trust" owed to the former pupils and the panel "had no doubt" that his actions had "harmed" them and "were having a serious and continued effect". The panel noted that Mr Phillips had stated that he did not feel he was in a position to properly respond to the allegations and did not intend to return to teaching. Decision-maker Sarah Buxcey confirmed an indefinite ban on behalf of the education secretary. In a statement, Harbour Learning Trust, which runs the academy, said it was "committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all of our students and expects all our staff to share this unwavering commitment". "This incident was dealt with swiftly by the trust, under the previous CEO and head teacher, and the school and trust have complied fully with the investigation," the statement added. "Harbour Learning Trust does not condone behaviour that compromises the well-being, trust, or safety of our students in any way." Humberside Police said it had received a report concerning "inappropriate conduct and relationships of a teacher". Following a "full and thorough investigation", no further action was taken. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Harbour Learning Trust Teaching Regulation Agency
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Grimsby teacher Cheyne Phillips banned for sexual contact with ex-pupils
A teacher has been banned from the profession for life after a panel ruled on the "balance of probabilities" that he had sex with one former pupil and sent inappropriate messages to Phillips, 34, was a PE teacher at Healing Academy, a secondary school near Grimsby, at the time.A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency was told he denied the allegations and "a large amount of the factual assertions surrounding them".However, during a public hearing held between 6 and 9 May, the panel found Mr Phillips had exploited his position of trust by pursuing "highly inappropriate relationships and sexual misconduct with children". Mr Phillips had "spoken to and repeatedly and persistently corresponded via e-mail, Instagram and Snapchat" with the former pupils "in ways that were sexual and inappropriate", the panel one of the cases, this "ultimately led" to "repeated and serious sexual misconduct".Mr Phillips, who did not attend the hearing, worked at the academy from July 2016 to July a statement, the trust that runs the school said the allegations were "dealt with swiftly" and it had "complied fully" with an investigation. The panel heard allegations that Mr Phillips had developed inappropriate relationships with two former pupils, known as A and B, after they left the said his behaviour towards them had changed as they entered the final months of their time there. 'Ur a secret' Pupil A said Mr Phillips had followed her on Instagram after she left and started messaging her. The panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, he had made a number of comments of a sexual or inappropriate nature, sent at least one photograph of himself and requested images of had also attempted to meet her and, in one message, told her "ur a secret".Pupil B said Mr Phillips had winked at her in revision sessions towards the end of her time at school, before emailing "something flirty" after she had then exchanged messages on Instagram and Snapchat and he asked to meet panel stated that it was satisfied from the evidence that he had received at least one explicit photograph from her and asked, "am I going to make the first move, or are you?"It found, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Phillips had kissed, had sex and engaged in other sexual activity with Pupil B. 'Breached trust' The panel found Mr Phillips' actions breached professional standards and safeguarding guidance that classifies children as everyone under the age of was "guilty of unacceptable professional conduct" that "may bring the profession into disrepute".There were "repeated breaches of trust" owed to the former pupils and the panel "had no doubt" that his actions had "harmed" them and "were having a serious and continued effect".The panel noted that Mr Phillips had stated that he did not feel he was in a position to properly respond to the allegations and did not intend to return to Sarah Buxcey confirmed an indefinite ban on behalf of the education a statement, Harbour Learning Trust, which runs the academy, said it was "committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all of our students and expects all our staff to share this unwavering commitment". "This incident was dealt with swiftly by the trust, under the previous CEO and head teacher, and the school and trust have complied fully with the investigation," the statement added."Harbour Learning Trust does not condone behaviour that compromises the well-being, trust, or safety of our students in any way."Humberside Police said it had received a report concerning "inappropriate conduct and relationships of a teacher". Following a "full and thorough investigation", no further action was taken. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Teacher who started online petition to remove headteacher for ‘racism' banned
Joshua Adusei, 31, encouraged students in the playground at the Harris Academy Tottenham in north-east London to sign the petition in April 2021, after he had told the headteacher he would 'get him out' if he did not resign, a Teaching Regulation Agency panel heard. He also made 'repeated safeguarding failures' over several months, including on social media where he re-tweeted pupils' comments in support of his own position. The petition, which received more than 6,000 signatures before it was ended, said the headteacher had permanently excluded three black students from the school after one month in the role and had introduced 'a zero tolerance behaviour policy that disproportionately affects BAME and SEN students'. His name was removed from the petition after the Metropolitan Police received reports of four death threats from the school, the Guardian reported. Giving oral evidence to the panel, the headteacher said Mr Adusei came to his office on April 19 2021 and informed him that he and others did not think he was doing a good job, and that he had come to request his resignation. He said there was no attempt by Mr Adusei to specify his grievances or the basis upon which he was asking him to resign at the meeting, but that he said 'If you don't resign I am going to start a petition to get you out', which left him feeling threatened. Another witnesses told the panel that the following day, they saw Mr Adusei and another member of staff in the playground with around 10-20 students stood around them, which was 'unusual' as he should not have been on duty for their lunch. A Year 10 pupil who was stopped by the witness after walking past with their phone out – which was against school policy – said: 'Not gonna lie sir, a member of staff has told me to get it out to sign a petition'. Mr Adusei was suspended the same day. Addressing the claims in the petition, the headteacher told the panel he had only been directly involved in excluding two students and that the decision was taken in consultation with various other management staff. He said there was 'no basis' for asserting that his actions disproportionately affected BAME or SEN students. A separate Crowdfunder page which claimed Mr Adusei had suffered 'a brutal exclusion and an attempted silencing and tarnishing of his reputation' due to the incident also raised £320. The panel found Mr Adusei had made 'deliberate and pre-determined decisions to publish untrue and/or misleading comments about Colleague A (the headteacher) and then to manipulate the actions of children for his own private purposes', which it considered to be 'an abuse of his position and an abuse of trust.' It had received evidence that the headteacher suffered 'threatening online abuse' as a direct of the petition, which had also led to plain clothes police officers being placed at the school gates. The panel also heard that Scotland Yard had contacted the individual to implement enhanced protection measures as a result of the petition. Further allegations that Mr Adusei had failed to complete welfare calls to 26 pupils in his tutor group and failed to teach online lessons on two occasions in January 2021 were also found to have been proven. The panel was satisfied that Mr Adusei's behaviour 'amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.' Mr Adusei, who had been employed at the school since 2019, provided no mitigation to the panel or evidence of material insight or remorse for his actions. In a written conclusion on Wednesday, decision maker Sarah Buxcey, acting on behalf of the Education Secretary, banned Mr Adusei from teaching indefinitely subject to a five-year review period. She said: 'In this case, factors mean that allowing a lesser review period is not sufficient to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession. 'These elements are the seriousness of the findings involving safeguarding failures and the lack of evidence of either insight or remorse.'
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Teacher who started online petition to remove headteacher for ‘racism' banned
Joshua Adusei, 31, encouraged students in the playground at the Harris Academy Tottenham in north-east London to sign the petition in April 2021, after he had told the headteacher he would 'get him out' if he did not resign, a Teaching Regulation Agency panel heard. He also made 'repeated safeguarding failures' over several months, including on social media where he re-tweeted pupils' comments in support of his own position. The petition, which received more than 6,000 signatures before it was ended, said the headteacher had permanently excluded three black students from the school after one month in the role and had introduced 'a zero tolerance behaviour policy that disproportionately affects BAME and SEN students'. His name was removed from the petition after the Metropolitan Police received reports of four death threats from the school, the Guardian reported. Giving oral evidence to the panel, the headteacher said Mr Adusei came to his office on April 19 2021 and informed him that he and others did not think he was doing a good job, and that he had come to request his resignation. He said there was no attempt by Mr Adusei to specify his grievances or the basis upon which he was asking him to resign at the meeting, but that he said 'If you don't resign I am going to start a petition to get you out', which left him feeling threatened. Another witnesses told the panel that the following day, they saw Mr Adusei and another member of staff in the playground with around 10-20 students stood around them, which was 'unusual' as he should not have been on duty for their lunch. A Year 10 pupil who was stopped by the witness after walking past with their phone out – which was against school policy – said: 'Not gonna lie sir, a member of staff has told me to get it out to sign a petition'. Mr Adusei was suspended the same day. Addressing the claims in the petition, the headteacher told the panel he had only been directly involved in excluding two students and that the decision was taken in consultation with various other management staff. He said there was 'no basis' for asserting that his actions disproportionately affected BAME or SEN students. A separate Crowdfunder page which claimed Mr Adusei had suffered 'a brutal exclusion and an attempted silencing and tarnishing of his reputation' due to the incident also raised £320. The panel found Mr Adusei had made 'deliberate and pre-determined decisions to publish untrue and/or misleading comments about Colleague A (the headteacher) and then to manipulate the actions of children for his own private purposes', which it considered to be 'an abuse of his position and an abuse of trust.' It had received evidence that the headteacher suffered 'threatening online abuse' as a direct of the petition, which had also led to plain clothes police officers being placed at the school gates. The panel also heard that Scotland Yard had contacted the individual to implement enhanced protection measures as a result of the petition. Further allegations that Mr Adusei had failed to complete welfare calls to 26 pupils in his tutor group and failed to teach online lessons on two occasions in January 2021 were also found to have been proven. The panel was satisfied that Mr Adusei's behaviour 'amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.' Mr Adusei, who had been employed at the school since 2019, provided no mitigation to the panel or evidence of material insight or remorse for his actions. In a written conclusion on Wednesday, decision maker Sarah Buxcey, acting on behalf of the Education Secretary, banned Mr Adusei from teaching indefinitely subject to a five-year review period. She said: 'In this case, factors mean that allowing a lesser review period is not sufficient to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession. 'These elements are the seriousness of the findings involving safeguarding failures and the lack of evidence of either insight or remorse.'
