Teacher banned for sexual actions towards ex-pupils

A teacher at a boarding school in Surrey has been banned from the profession indefinitely for sexually motivated actions towards former pupils.

Stephen Atkinson began teaching at St Teresa's School in Effingham, near Dorking, in 2004 before he was suspended in October 2022 after a parent raised concerns about his communication with a former pupil.

The 48-year-old touched the waist of a former pupil and kissed them on the cheek, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel found.

Mr Atkinson was responsible for "serious inappropriate and unprofessional sexual communications" with more than one pupil and former pupil, the panel found.

He has since been banned from teaching in England and will not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.

The report noted that Mr Atkinson's physical contact with the pupil who he kissed on the cheek was "of a sexual nature".

During the meeting, the teacher asked the former pupil, "can I give you a kiss?", and then said, "no properly, on the lips" or words to that effect, the panel ruled.

Mr Atkinson also exchanged inappropriate personal emails with another pupil between 2017 and 2021 when they were still at the school.

He then arranged to meet up with them once they had left the school.

Marc Cavey, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, said he was mindful of the "serious negative impact" that such a finding was likely to have on the reputation of the profession.

"In this case, I have placed considerable weight on both the very serious nature of the misconduct found, as well as the lack of evidence that the teacher has developed either insight into or remorse for his actions," he said.

A spokesperson for St Teresa's School said: "When informed about this deeply concerning matter, we immediately followed all safeguarding procedures and are very supportive of the outcome."

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