Teacher barred for 'crossing boundaries' with pupil

The teacher was found to have isolated the boy and impacted his confidence

A music teacher at a prestigious private school has been banned from the profession for at least two years after trying to "force" a student into believing he was gay.

Stefan Hofkes, 52, resigned from Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH) independent boys’ day school in Clifton, Bristol, in June 2022 following two written warnings.

A misconduct panel found Mr Hofkes had given the boy alcohol at his home, regularly complimented his physical appearance, and exchanged about 20 text messages per day.

The report found Mr Hofkes' actions were "not sexually motivated" but lacked an awareness of "appropriate boundaries" and the long-lasting impact of his behaviour.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Hofkes worked at the school from 2010 as a visiting music teacher, before being employed as a part-time piano tutor six years later.

The pair had originally exchanged phone numbers because Mr Hofkes had asked the pupil to cat-sit while he was away, but there was “clear evidence of Hofkes continuing to message Pupil A” about two years later.

One of the messages the teacher sent while on holiday said: “So many real, beautiful gay men out and about! Sorry not professional.”

The report, published by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) on Tuesday, uncovered that Hofkes told Pupil A he "knew" the child was gay.

He would also frequently compliment his appearance when they were alone, which "made him feel uncomfortable".

The private school has been approached for a comment

The report stated: “The nature and context of these comments, especially a comment that linked Pupil A’s appearance to men to whom Hofkes was attracted, were found by the panel to be inappropriate.

“Pupil A stated that he still finds the topic of his sexuality uncomfortable and that whilst he knows he is not gay, Hofkes tried to ‘force [him into] that identity’.

Mr Hofkes said his comments had been "misinterpreted", and were allegedly made in a reassuring manner to boost his self confidence, telling him he was a “good-looking young man”.

Pupil A, who was under 18 at the time, said there had been occasions where he was given a small glass of wine or prosecco at Mr Hofkes’ house.

The teacher denied the allegation, but the panel found it to be proven along with the claim that Mr Hofkes walked the child home on multiple occasions.

Mr Hofkes also admitted telling the child he wanted to “headbutt [his] mum”, after an argument ensued between them regarding his inappropriate friendship with the teacher.

The report concluded: “The panel accepted that Hofkes’ actions may well have been well intentioned to support and nurture Pupil A.

“However, in not maintaining appropriate boundaries, he isolated Pupil A from his family and friends and Hofkes left himself open to his intentions being misinterpreted."