Teacher not suspended over secret love letters

The allegations involving Malcolm Lowe relate to a pupil he taught at St Mary's Church of England School, in Birmingham, in 2001-2

A primary school teacher who kept love letters from a female pupil secret, has escaped being suspended.

Malcolm Lowe, who worked at St Mary's Church of England School, in Birmingham, failed to disclose the letters that said "I love you", a disciplinary panel heard.

The student, Pupil B, alleged Mr Lowe met her alone in a cupboard and engaged in inappropriate behaviour - but the panel said this not proven with the teacher saying he "never engaged in any form of sexual behaviour or relationship with any pupil".

Mr Lowe was not banned for the inappropriate behaviour, which happened between December 2001 and May 2002, ruled the Teaching Regulation Agency.

Mr Lowe, who began working at the school in September 1997, was accused of unacceptable professional conduct, but denied all the allegations against him.

He was found guilty of receiving letters from the year 6 pupil in 2001 and not disclosing them.

The letters, one of which provided her personal contact information and home address, said "I love you" and included a picture of a love heart.

'Kisses on lips'

One said: "I really love you. I'm always thinking about you. I always look at your

photo I have got. I will give you my photo."

In May 2002, the letters and photos of Pupil B were found in a classroom by other students - who took them home to their parents.

Pupil B alleged that during breaks she would help clean the classroom and stay behind to meet Mr Lowe alone in a storage room.

She provided an oral statement at the hearing stating that between the ages of 9 to 11, Mr Lowe would hug and kiss her, sometimes for a long period of time, against the cupboard door.

She said the kisses were on the lips, and that Mr Lowe would give her books to stand on, so he could kiss her for long periods against the door.

Pupil B stated Mr Lowe would then put his hand up her top and touch her back while she rocked back and forth against him.

However, the panel found inconsistencies in her evidence, while taking into consideration the alleged misconduct took place more than 20 years ago.

The panel said it was "implausible" Mr Lowe, or any teacher, could facilitate a situation where he would be alone with a pupil for two years, without it being reported as suspicious.

'Prohibition order not proportionate'

David Oatley, decision maker on behalf of the Secretary of State, said banning Mr Lowe from teaching "would serve no useful purpose", since he has continued to teach over the past 20 years.

Mr Oatley said instead, publication of the allegations were enough to send an "appropriate message".

Reports from the hearing said: "I have concluded that a prohibition order is not proportionate or in the public interest.

"I consider that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession."