Teacher Banned from £56,000-a-Year Boarding School for Concealing Fiancé’s Sex Convictions

POLICY WIRE — London, UK — Thomas Ridgway, a teacher at a prestigious £56,000-a-year boarding school, has been banned from the profession for failing to disclose that his fiancé is a registered child sex offender. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found Ridgway in breach of professional standards for not informing school authorities about his fiancé’s criminal record.

Ridgway’s case came to light during a routine background check, which revealed his connection to an individual with a history of child sex offenses. The TRA concluded that Ridgway’s omission posed a risk to the safety and welfare of students, leading to his prohibition from teaching.

The school, which prides itself on high educational standards and student safety, expressed disappointment in Ridgway’s actions. “We take the safety and well-being of our students extremely seriously. This incident underscores the importance of full disclosure and transparency among our staff,” a school spokesperson said.

Ridgway has the right to appeal the decision within 28 days. The TRA’s ruling highlights the stringent measures in place to protect students in educational environments.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)