Paedophile primary school teacher banned for life

Lower Darwen Primary School in Blackburn was one of the schools William Chambers taught at

A primary school teacher has been banned indefinitely from the profession after being jailed for his involvement in an international paedophile ring.

William Chambers was employed at schools in Blackburn and Burnley in Lancashire between 1998 and 2022.

The 61-year-old admitted three counts of making indecent photographs and/or pseudo-photographs of a child and was jailed for 20 months in 2024.

A professional conduct panel said he had shown no remorse and noted the sentencing judge concluded Chambers was "a paedophile with a perverted sexual interest in young boys".

Following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), Chambers was arrested at his home in Blackburn where 1564 indecent images were found on his devices.

Investigators established that the images were supplied over the dark web by a Belgian national who was part of a group who were jailed in 2023.

'Position of trust'

Following Chambers' sentencing, the case was referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency in March 2024.

The panel was provided with a copy of the certificate of conviction from Preston Crown Court which noted that Chambers pleaded guilty and was required to register on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Reference was also made to the fact that Mr Chambers would or may be subject to be banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

The panel said Chambers' actions were "clearly relevant" to his "role and position of trust as a teacher".

They said "the behaviour involved in committing the offence would have had an impact on the safety and security of pupils and members of the public".

Members of the teaching profession should "maintain an exemplary level of integrity and ethical standards at all times", their report said.

The panel concluded Chambers' actions "were deliberate", "calculated and motivated".

Chambers was prohibited from teaching indefinitely and is not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach, but was given 28 days to appeal to the High Court.