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Teachers struck off after being caught having sex in school Teachers struck off after being caught having sex in school
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Two teachers who had sex in a school have been banned from teaching. Headteacher Graham Daniels and his deputy, Bethan Thomas, were caught having an affair after a video clip of “sex noises” appearing to come from Daniels’ office was posted on YouTube by a pupil.Two teachers who had sex in a school have been banned from teaching. Headteacher Graham Daniels and his deputy, Bethan Thomas, were caught having an affair after a video clip of “sex noises” appearing to come from Daniels’ office was posted on YouTube by a pupil.
The 34-second clip, recorded from the other side of the headteacher’s locked door, went viral. Daniels and Thomas both resigned from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe in Swansea but insisted they were still good teachers with plenty to offer. The 34-second clip, recorded from the other side of the headteacher’s locked door, went viral.
Daniels, 51, and Thomas, 37, were both married to other people at the time of the incident. They resigned from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe in Swansea but insisted they were still good teachers with plenty to offer.
But the Education Workforce Council (EWC) ruled that the pair’s reckless and selfish behaviour had damaged the reputation of the teaching profession and their former school.But the Education Workforce Council (EWC) ruled that the pair’s reckless and selfish behaviour had damaged the reputation of the teaching profession and their former school.
Jacquie Turnbull, who chaired the EWC hearing, made a prohibition order on both registrants after saying their sex sessions over 11 months in school were not just an isolated incident. Jacquie Turnbull, who chaired the EWC hearing, made a prohibition order on both registrants after saying their sex session in the school was not an isolated incident but was something that occurred many times over an 11-month period.
Turnbull said: “These were serious allegations which could impact on public confidence in the teaching profession. The sex acts occurred on school premises when pupils and staff were present and they later had a big effect on the whole school community.Turnbull said: “These were serious allegations which could impact on public confidence in the teaching profession. The sex acts occurred on school premises when pupils and staff were present and they later had a big effect on the whole school community.
“The unacceptable, reckless and risky behaviour took place over an extended period of time. Their actions were fundamentally incompatible with the standards expected of a registered teacher … and brought the school into disrepute.”“The unacceptable, reckless and risky behaviour took place over an extended period of time. Their actions were fundamentally incompatible with the standards expected of a registered teacher … and brought the school into disrepute.”
At an EWC hearing in Cardiff, Daniels and Thomas admitted having sex on school premises between May 2013 and April 2014. The couple, who were married to other people at the time, said they both deeply regretted their actions and were completely ashamed. At an EWC hearing in Cardiff, Daniels and Thomas admitted having sex on school premises between May 2013 and April 2014. The pair said they both deeply regretted their actions and were completely ashamed.
Their union representative, Tim Glover, argued they should still be allowed to teach and were excellent teachers. Glover, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said Daniels and Thomas had an otherwise unblemished career and had played a key role in the school becoming one of Swansea’s best. Their union representative, Tim Glover, argued they should still be allowed to teach and were excellent teachers. Glover, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said Daniels and Thomas had otherwise unblemished careers and had played a key role in the school becoming one of Swansea’s best.
He said: “They both have a great deal to offer in two highly sought-after subjects of maths and science. They also acted honourably by resigning and cooperating fully with these proceedings, where they have shown true insight and remorse.”He said: “They both have a great deal to offer in two highly sought-after subjects of maths and science. They also acted honourably by resigning and cooperating fully with these proceedings, where they have shown true insight and remorse.”
Louise Price, who presented the case against them, argued: “They knew what they were doing was wrong … and there is the question of how their behaviour would have continued had they not been discovered.”Louise Price, who presented the case against them, argued: “They knew what they were doing was wrong … and there is the question of how their behaviour would have continued had they not been discovered.”
Once their affair came to light, the two teachers became figures of fun at the Welsh-language comprehensive and colleagues said exam results suffered as a result.Once their affair came to light, the two teachers became figures of fun at the Welsh-language comprehensive and colleagues said exam results suffered as a result.
The school’s current deputy head, Carwyn Jenkins, previously told the EWC that staff found it difficult to get children to concentrate during lessons because they could not stop “making comments or references” to the YouTube video.The school’s current deputy head, Carwyn Jenkins, previously told the EWC that staff found it difficult to get children to concentrate during lessons because they could not stop “making comments or references” to the YouTube video.
Turnbull said the EWC had considered imposing other penalties on the two – including a formal reprimand and conditional registration – but added: “They abused their position of trust … because of their senior positions they should have been role models for staff and pupils. The conduct was so serious that only a prohibition order can be justified.”Turnbull said the EWC had considered imposing other penalties on the two – including a formal reprimand and conditional registration – but added: “They abused their position of trust … because of their senior positions they should have been role models for staff and pupils. The conduct was so serious that only a prohibition order can be justified.”
Daniels and Thomas can apply to go back on the teaching register in three years time. Both looked visibly upset as they left the hearing at the Parc hotel.Daniels and Thomas can apply to go back on the teaching register in three years time. Both looked visibly upset as they left the hearing at the Parc hotel.