Teacher who sent messages of a sexual nature to pupils escapes disciplinary action

Andrew Doyle, who taught at St Mary's Catholic High School in Tyldesley was brought before a professional conduct panel following an anonymous complaint by an adult.

It was found that Mr Doyle had been engaging with pupils on social media, including privately messaging one or more pupils individually or as part of a group chat on Instagram, with comments being inappropriate and of a sexual nature.

Social media conversations included 'too hot for me' and 'the only girl who will give you attention is your mother'.

The panel report stated: "Additionally, the panel found conversations where the teacher had commented “fittest one too”, “glad you’re 16 now” and “swoop in.”

"In his evidence Mr Doyle stated that he was reiterating comments made by older men to female pupils on their Instagram accounts. He said that these comments he sent were in 'jest, a bit of a joke'.

"The panel found that Mr Doyle did not understand the concerning nature of these messages which had been sent to young female pupils and did not recognise them to be a safeguarding concern. The

panel found the comments to be of a sexual nature."

Mr Doyle was said to have used derogatory and foul language and comments of a sexual nature to a number of pupils at his school. In his comments, the panel found In his comments the panel found that he called pupils names such as “lego head” and “wussy”, he used language such as “FFS” and swear words when conversing with the pupils.

But the panel stated his conduct was due to 'naivety' and an attempt to communicate with the pupils at their 'level'.

And the panel found that there was no evidence that the messages were sexually motivated or in pursuit of sexual gratification.

The panel found that Mr Doyle's actions constituted conduct that may be bring the profession into disrepute.

In their deliberations, the panel noted that Mr Doyle had apologised and expressed regret for his actions.

He had apologised to the headteacher.

It also noted that he had a previous good teaching record and was of good character.

Mr Doyle has not been in teaching since the incident.

The Teaching Regulation Agency decision maker Sarah Buxcey stated: "The panel considered that the publication of the adverse findings it had made was sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that are not acceptable, and the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession.”

"For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is not proportionate or in the public interest. I consider that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession."

Mr Doyle’s contract at St Mary’s Catholic High School ended as planned on 31 August 2019.