A TEACHER who touched his pupils at an Oxford pub and tried to kiss them outside has been banned from the profession indefinitely.

Results of a teacher misconduct hearing were published by the Department for Education today, for former biology teacher Jonathan Whitlow.

Allegations arose during his time at the Headington boarding school EF Academy, regarding two pupils he met together at The White Horse pub in Broad Street following their final exams.

The misconduct report revealed how the 66-year-old had 'touched a pupil's bottom' and her thigh, as well as hugging them both and trying to kiss them.

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The report added: "[They] felt very shocked and uncomfortable as a result of Mr Whitlow’s behaviour that evening and were sufficiently concerned to speak to the school shortly after the incident."

A misconduct panel assessed his case last month, and the results were published today.

The ban is indefinite but he will be allowed to apply for a review in 2025, when a panel will meet to decide if he can teach again. 

The students, referred to in the report as Pupil A (aged 20) and Pupil B (aged 17), stated that they 'felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave' when he touched one of their thighs in the pub.

The report added: "On leaving the pub, Pupil A and Pupil B stated that Mr Whitlow attempted to hug Pupil A, and tried to kiss her on the mouth.

"During this action, he also touched Pupil A’s bottom. He then hugged Pupil B and attempted to kiss her on the mouth.

"They then parted ways further up the road from the pub, and Mr Whitlow hugged them again."

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Mr Whitlow started working at the school from 2014, and the allegations regarded an incident in a subsequent year.

The ruling report stated: "There were differing accounts as to who suggested a separate meeting to take place. 

"Mr Whitlow was clear in his evidence that the suggestion to meet separately came from the pupils, and that he left it to them to decide where they should meet.

"He did however accept that he agreed to meet Pupil A and Pupil B at The White Horse public house at 8pm."

Mr Whitlow told the panel that he had second thoughts about the meeting but 'felt he could not change his mind out of politeness'.

He also acknowledged he 'shouldn't have agreed to go out in the first place.'

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However, he completely denied the other allegations that he:

  • stroked Pupil A’s leg
  • touched Pupil A’s thigh
  • touched Pupil A’s bottom
  • hugged Pupil A
  • attempted to kiss Pupil A on the mouth
  • hugged Pupil B
  • attempted to kiss Pupil B on the mouth

He said he unintentionally touched Pupil A's thigh and regarding the hugs, said the pupils had instigated them.

One of the pupils told the panel she felt 'shocked' to feel Mr Whitlow's hand on her thigh and that he 'stroked it over a period of time' with his thumb.

However, he denied this.

The report said: "Mr Whitlow stated that both pupils were very excitable and hugged him when they arrived."

He told the panel he felt 'uncomfortable' as Pupil A began asking him personal questions.

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The report continued: "At this point and as they had all finished their drinks, [he said he] put his hands on his knees and started to stand up to leave.

"During this motion, Mr Whitlow stated that Pupil A moved her leg to touch his leg, and as a result his hand came into contact with her knee.

"Mr Whitlow denied that he hugged or attempted to kiss either pupil outside the pub."

However, the panel found that his story was 'not credible' and 'lacked consistency'.

They believed the pupils' account, and described them in the report as 'mature and credible'.  

They found the allegations to be 'proven on the balance of probabilities'.

The report concluded: "Mr Whitlow was an experienced teacher and should have known not to arrange to meet pupils alone at a local pub on the day of their last exam without the prior authorisation and knowledge of the school.

"By touching Pupil A and attempting to kiss Pupil A and Pupil B whilst hugging them, Mr Whitlow further failed to observe proper boundaries.

"On the balance of probabilities, the panel went on to find that these actions were sexually motivated.

"The conduct of Mr Whitlow amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

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However, they said his behaviour was not pre-meditated and personal circumstances meant his judgement 'may have been impaired' at the time.

The report added: "Mr Whitlow had a previous good history, encompassing his career of over 40 years.

"The panel accepted that the incident was wholly out of character for Mr Whitlow, and it was a one-off occurrence.

"Whilst it found that Mr Whitlow was responsible for sexually motivated touching of two pupils, it found his conduct was at the lower end of the scale."

Both of the pupils said he had been their 'favourite teacher'.