Description
The former headteacher at Newcastle's prestigious Royal Grammar School has been banned from teaching over sexual misconduct claims.
John Fern, who held the top job at the Jesmond private school from 2017 to 2019, came before a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) after pupils from a school he previously taught at made allegations against him. The 47-year-old was accused of kissing two students at the boarding school, and discussing his own sexual activity with others.
He also put his hand inside a pupil's clothing, it was claimed. The allegations, which were all denied by Mr Fern, came to light after one pupil made a report of historical sexual activity with the teacher to police in 2019.
Officers also spoke to another pupil, but neither wanted to support a prosecution against Mr Fern and no further action was taken in the criminal investigation. Mr Fern was on sick leave from his role at RGS and did not return to the school.
A spokeswoman said: "These allegations relate to an entirely different school and took place 20 years ago. They were brought to our attention after being reported to police in early summer 2019.
"Mr Fern was on sick leave and, under guidance from the Local Authority Safeguarding Officer, did not return to RGS. The matter was investigated by police and no charges were brought but Mr Fern resigned in November 2019.
"He was subsequently referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency, whose formal decision has just been published. We were prevented from making any reference to the matter until the police concluded their investigation and the TRA completed its disciplinary processes.
"We were shocked and saddened to learn of the allegations and the impact they have had on the individuals concerned. Although this matter does not relate to RGS and there was no cause for concern during Mr Fern’s time here, all schools need to hear about such incidents and examine what, if anything, they can learn from them.
"While there can never be room for complacency, RGS has a range of robust and effective mechanisms in place that allow students, parents or staff to raise any issue they may be concerned about. We are proud of the open culture of our school, in which reporting safeguarding concerns is welcomed and issues acted upon promptly and decisively."
The TRA report explains how the pupil, referred to as Pupil A, made the report to police saying the sexual activity "had not negatively affected him in the long term". But he said he felt compelled to report Mr Fern to the police when he heard he had become a headteacher.
The report says: "He was concerned that Mr Fern was in a senior trusted role and had the potential to misuse that position. Pupil A did not want to support a prosecution as he did not feel that the sexual activity between Mr Fern and himself warranted any criminal sanction. His purpose in reporting this matter was to ensure the future protection of pupils."
After being contacted by police Mr Fern informed the chair of governors at RGS and resigned after being told there would be a formal disciplinary hearing. The panel found Mr Fern guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.
The report says: "Mr Fern's actions included serious sexual misconduct with more than one pupil, including some non-consensual acts. Mr Fern's behaviour was further aggravated by the significant breach of trust between that of a teacher and pupil.
"The panel is satisfied that the conduct of Mr Fern amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."
The panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that Mr Fern be issued with a "prohibition order" which would ban him from teaching with immediate effect. Sarah Buxcey, on behalf of the Secretary of State, agreed that Mr Fern should be banned from teaching indefinitely and he now cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
She said: "Mr Fern breached the trust of pupils in his care, the misconduct happened over a period of time, with more than one pupil. Mr Fern’s actions mean that he presents a risk to the safety and wellbeing of pupils in the future."
Parents of children at RGS were informed of what had happened by a letter sent out this week. RGS claims to be the North East's leading Independent School.
Parents pay fees of just over £12,000 a year for junior school pupils and more than £15,000 for senior students. In 2018, five students were expelled from the school amid concerns about bullying.