A teacher from Ursuline College in Westgate-on-Sea has been banned from teaching after engaging in sexual activities with a student. Tom Field, who had been teaching at the school for almost 20 years, admitted to having sexual relations with a schoolgirl right after her final exam.
During a hearing by the Teacher Regulation Agency, it was revealed that the 46-year-old teacher dropped off some students before informing the teenager that he wanted to have sex with her. He later drove the student to his residence where they engaged in sexual intercourse.
Following this incident, Mr. Field arranged to meet the student again a few days later, picked her up from near her home, and took her to his place to watch a movie before involving in sexual activities. The student later disclosed the events to a staff member, leading to Mr. Field’s resignation from the school.
The panel investigating the case concluded that Mr. Field’s actions were sexually driven and a severe breach of his role as a teacher. They found that he had also taken pupils to a local pub without proper authorization, safety measures, or supervision in place, displaying a lack of professional boundaries and duty of care.
Despite expressing remorse for his actions, Mr. Field was criticized for trying to shift blame onto the student during the investigation, indicating a lack of understanding of the seriousness of his misconduct. The school promptly suspended Mr. Field once the incident came to light, emphasizing that the welfare of the students is their top priority.
Ursuline College’s Headteacher, Danielle Lancefield, affirmed the school’s commitment to safeguarding pupils and maintaining stringent policies regarding staff recruitment and conduct. The school has cooperated fully with the Teacher Regulation Agency’s inquiry and remains dedicated to upholding high standards of professionalism and student welfare.