A teacher at a high school in Wigan has been debarred from the profession for engaging in an inappropriate discussion with students regarding sexual topics such as orgasms and sex toys. The teacher, Ms. Kathryn Matthews, faced suspension after a conversation of a sexual nature surfaced during a class session in November 2023.
The incident at The Westleigh School led to Ms. Matthews being accused of unacceptable professional conduct, resulting in her removal from teaching following a determination by a Teaching Regulation Authority panel that her actions constituted serious misconduct. Reports indicate that a colleague was made aware of the conversations that took place.
During the panel hearing, it was revealed that students had mentioned having frequent discussions with Ms. Matthews on sexual matters, viewing her more as a friend than a teacher. The matter was brought to light when a witness reported the incident to their line manager, prompting an investigation that involved interviewing students from the class.
Despite Ms. Matthews claiming that the students conspired against her, the panel noted her popularity among students and staff, casting doubt on the likelihood of collusion to fabricate allegations. In response to the allegations, Ms. Matthews stated that she redirected the class during a lesson on “A Christmas Carol” and refused to answer inappropriate questions.
Following the investigation, it was found that Ms. Matthews had engaged in conversations with students on various explicit topics, leading to the conclusion that her conduct fell significantly short of professional standards. Consequently, she was dismissed from her position and barred from teaching in any educational institution in England. Ms. Matthews may seek a review of the prohibition order after two years, subject to panel assessment.