Teacher struck off after ‘explicit’ sexual conversations with pupils
A teacher who allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual conversations with children just two months after starting work at a Wigan secondary school has been sacked.
Kathryn Matthews, 43, who teaches English at Westleigh School in Greater Manchester, was heard having long conversations with students in class, including discussions about sex toys and orgasms, a panel heard.
The allegations arose after two students told another staff member about this conversation. Staff notified the school and Ms Matthews was suspended and an investigation launched two days after the alleged conversation took place.
The Teaching Regulation Agency panel concluded that on November 28, 2024, Ms Matthews “openly discussed sexually explicit information with students in an English lesson in front of the entire class”.
The board said it “considered these actions to be extremely serious” and Ms Matthews was granted a restraining order effectively banning her from teaching for at least two years. He can reapply for a panel hearing to decide whether he can teach again after October 1, 2027.
The panel said there was a “strong public interest consideration for the protection and welfare of students”.
This was the first complaint made against Ms Matthews and she had no previous disciplinary record. The panel also added that it found no evidence that his conduct was “malicious.”
“On the contrary, he had clearly engaged in deeply misjudged and inappropriate activities,” the panel said.
“Although it found no excuse for her actions, the panel noted that Ms Matthews had become a relatively recently qualified teacher when these events occurred and was dealing with a class which, on the evidence, appeared to be challenging in all respects.”
Ms. Matthews did not attend the panel hearing and did not provide evidence or context to those on the panel; this took into account how the decision to ban was made.
The board added: “Although it was disturbed by Ms Matthews’ failure to engage and to show insight or remorse, the board was of the view that the conduct for which she was found guilty, although very serious, could in principle be dealt with by someone who had made the decision to learn and take steps to correct her behavior and approaches to teaching.”
