Saffron Walden teacher banned over conduct with pupil

Samuel Hawley taught at Saffron Walden County High School between September 2019 and March 2022

A teacher who asked a pupil if she had engaged in sexual activity with her boyfriend has been banned from the profession.

Samuel Hawley, 29, taught at Saffron Walden County High School in Essex.

He ignored repeated warnings from school leaders about his conduct, which included hugging the pupil, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel heard.

Mr Hawley denied the allegations but was caught out by CCTV footage and text messages referencing his conduct.

The panel was told the teacher asked "pupil A" whether her boyfriend had been "her first" and if they had "done other stuff".

'Give us a hug'

A report stated that he told her: "You're making yourself a stranger to me but I want you to know that you're still one of my favourites and I still care about you, give us a hug."

It added that the school had warned Mr Hawley about his conduct on at least four occasions between February 2020 and 2022, before he resigned in March 2022.

The panel said the teacher was found in his classroom with the door and blinds closed in the presence of two female pupils - including pupil A - outside of school hours.

Mr Hawley was banned from teaching indefinitely, with a review set for two years' time.

Various allegations were found proved by the panel, including that he hugged pupil A, asked her about her boyfriend and offered to drive her home.

'Inappropriate physical contact'

David Oatley, who was the TRA panel decision maker, said: "The conduct of Mr Hawley fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.

"The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include findings of inappropriate physical contact with and comments to a pupil and meeting a pupil despite management advice not to do so."

In a statement provided to the BBC, Saffron Walden County High School said: "The school were concerned about the conduct of Mr Hawley and, following our robust safeguarding protocols, we reported this concern to the local authority designated officer and to the TRA."

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