Academy teacher asked to see under pupil's hoodie

A Birmingham teacher has been allowed to continue teaching, despite admitting to asking to see beneath a student's hoodie and asking two pupils to kiss.

Jack Broughton taught at Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA), an academy that specialises in creative, digital and performing arts, between September 2019 and June 2023.

A teacher misconduct hearing published on 17 June said Mr Broughton had expressed genuine insight and remorse, concluding he should not be given a prohibition order which would prevent him from teaching.

BOA principal Alistair Chattaway said the school could not comment on the findings but said: "The safety and wellbeing of students and staff is of the highest priority."

He added: "We take all concerns raised seriously."

Mr Broughton also admitted to offering money to a student, asking pupils about another pupil's sexuality, adding sexual and/or rude remarks to scripts.

He also admitted to telling a pupil he thought it was "funny" everyone was "obsessed" with them, and encouraging a pupil to speak and/or approach another student.

The hearing, published by the Teaching Regulation Agency, said it had found Mr Broughton was in breach of upholding public trust, in particular when treating pupils with dignity and having regard for the need to safeguard their wellbeing.

The hearing's report said: "The panel finds that the conduct of Mr Broughton fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

But it added: "The insight and remorse shown by Mr Broughton means that there is a low risk to the future wellbeing of pupils.

"I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision."

It went on to conclude that a prohibition order was "not proportionate or in the public interest".

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