Former Deputy Headteacher Permanently Barred from Teaching Following Indecent Image Conviction

An individual who previously served as a deputy headteacher at a boarding school has received an indefinite prohibition from teaching, following his discovery in possession of indecent images of children. Andrew Morris faced suspension from his senior position at Brambletye School, located in East Grinstead, West Sussex, subsequent to his arrest in 2020 on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children. In August 2021, at West Sussex Magistrates’ Court, the 45-year-old individual was placed on the sex offenders register for a duration of five years and received an 18-month community order, having confessed to creating indecent photographs of children. A panel from the Teaching Regulation Agency has now issued a ban preventing him from teaching within England, stating that he will not be eligible to reapply for a teaching position. The panel determined that Morris, through his “serious and illegal misconduct,” had “failed in his duty to protect public trust and confidence in the profession.” Brambletye School released a statement indicating: “We were informed of serious allegations against Mr Morris in April 2020.” The statement continued: “He was suspended by the school with immediate effect and not permitted to return to the school site.” The school clarified that none of its students were implicated. A spokesperson for the school commented: “The fact that any member of our community could behave in such a way is a devastating betrayal of our trust and goes against everything that the school stands for.”