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A Teacher Is is removed After allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual interactions with children at a secondary school Wigan Just two months after starting the job.
Katherine Matthews, 43, who was teaching English at Westley School in Greater Manchester, had lengthy conversations with pupils in class, including discussions about sex toys and orgasms, a panel heard.
The allegations came to light after two students recounted their conversation with another member of staff. The staff member notified the school and two days after the alleged conversation, Ms. Matthews was suspended and an investigation was launched.
The Teaching Regulation Agency panel concluded that on 28 November 2024 Ms Matthews had “openly discussed sexually explicit information with pupils in front of the whole class in an English lesson”.
The panel said it “considered these actions extremely serious” and gave Ms Matthews a restraining order which effectively bans her from teaching for at least two years. She can reapply for a panel hearing to decide whether she can teach again after October 1, 2027.
“A strong public interest was taken into account in relation to the safety and well-being of pupils”, the panel said.
This was the first complaint made against Ms Matthews, and she had no previous disciplinary record. The panel also said it found no evidence that his behavior had “malicious intent”.
“Rather she engaged in activities that were, quite frankly, extremely wrong and inappropriate,” the panel said.
“Although not, to any extent, finding any excuse for her actions, the panel noted that Ms Matthews was a relatively recently qualified teacher when these events occurred and was working with a class which it appears from the evidence, on any basis, was challenging.”
Ms Matthews did not attend the panel hearing and did not provide evidence or context to the panel which considered how the prohibition order was reached.
The panel added: “Although troubled by Ms Matthews’ failure to engage in the process, and failure to demonstrate insight or remorse, the panel was of the view that the conduct of which she was found guilty, while very serious, was in principle capable of being addressed by someone who had decided to learn and take steps to improve her behavior and her approach to teaching.”