Clacton teacher banned after 'unacceptable conduct'

David Baxter, 36, who taught at Great Clacton Church of England Junior School, was found to have shown "favouritism" and failed to maintain professional boundaries with a pupil, referred to as Pupil A during the 2021/22 academic year.

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel considered the allegations as it convened on five separate occasions from July 14 last year to July 29 this year.

They found that Mr Baxter continued his behaviour even after safeguarding concerns had been raised on March 21, 2022.

He has now been banned from teaching indefinitely, following a decision published on August 21.

A spokesman for Vine Schools Trust, which runs the school, said: “Allegations were made against a former employee of Great Clacton C of E Junior School in April 2022. Both the school and Vine Schools Trust acted swiftly and in accordance with all statutory safeguarding procedures as soon as concerns were raised.

“Following a thorough internal process, the individual’s employment was terminated in July 2022.

“We immediately referred the matter to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) and have fully supported their investigation throughout.

“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils remains our highest priority, and we are committed to maintaining a safe environment for all members of our school community.”

The TRA panel found proved that Mr Baxter spent time alone with the pupil after school, allowed or provided the pupil with items and privileges not afforded to other pupils, including biscuits and milkshakes kept in the classroom and breakfast and/or a sausage roll during a school trip.

It said he also engaged in inappropriate physical contact by putting his arm around the pupil on a coach trip, allowing the pupil to rest his head on his chest and/or shoulder on a coach trip, and rubbing the pupil's side during a residential trip.

During a school trip, the panel found that Mr Baxter allowed the pupil to sleep in his bed while the teacher slept elsewhere, offered or allowed the pupil to use his aftershave, took breakfast to the pupil when he did not eat with other pupils and staff, and asked or invited the pupil to hug him.

The panel also said he had inappropriate discussions with the pupil and/or the pupil's parents by telling them staff were being "horrible" to him or excluding him, he felt uncomfortable going into the staffroom, he was being investigated, he had a resignation letter prepared, was going for a job interview and had been offered a job, and was worried about going on a school trip.

Mr Baxter admitted several of the allegations during the hearing, including spending time alone with a pupil, giving the child some special privileges and treats, discussing workplace issues with the pupil and the child's parents, and aspects of his conduct during school trips.

However, he denied that much of the behaviour amounted to favouritism or a breach of professional boundaries, and disputed a number of other allegations altogether.

While the panel did not uphold every allegation, and did not find that every proven allegation amounted to favouritism, it found a significant number were proven and collectively amounted to serious misconduct.

Mr Baxter expressed regret, however, the panel said he had yet to develop "full insight into his actions and their impact", therefore, there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour.

In its decision, the panel said that Mr Baxter did have a previously good employment history and his references demonstrated he was "known to be an excellent teacher", and noted he often exceeded the contribution expected of a dedicated teacher.

It also took into account the fact that the conduct took place over a short period of time, with no concerns having been raised previously, as well as the time that has passed since these events.

However, they said his conduct stepped "well outside the boundaries of a teacher-pupil relationship" and it fell "significantly short" of the standards expected of the profession.

The panel said his behaviour amounted to "unacceptable professional conduct" and "conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute".

Mr Baxter is now banned from teaching in any school, sixth form college, children’s home, or relevant youth accommodation in England.

He may apply to have the prohibition order set aside after August 4, 2028.