AN Oxfordshire sixth-form teacher has admitted to inappropriate behaviour after asking a student on a date.

Michael Partington, who taught sociology at Oxford Sixth Form College in King Edward Street, admitted to behaving inappropriately with a student by asking her on a date.

He was employed at the college from September 2022 and between then and December 2022 is when the inappropriate behaviour took place.

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In a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel outcome published this month, it was revealed that the teacher had admitted to asking a pupil to stay behind after class before asking her on a date.

It was heard that he told the student they could date after her exams were over.

The words used were to the effect of: “This is awkward…there’s something I want to ask you…I meant when you have finished the course and exams.”

Partington admitted the allegations which were brought to the college’s attention in December and referred to the TRA.

In the panel outcome, it stated: “The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Partington amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.”

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After finding the allegations to be truth, after Partington’s admissions, the panel then had to decide if a prohibition order was necessary.

A probation order prevents a teacher from working in a school unsupervised.

However, a decision was made not to enforce an order due to there being a ‘public interest’ in terms of Partington remaining in the profession.

The panel wrote: “No doubt had been cast upon his abilities as a teacher. To the contrary, there was clear evidence that he had made a positive contribution to teaching over the course of his long career.

“That was supported by references and testimonials, from individuals who were aware of the allegations, and it was clear that there were no prior concerns of a similar nature.”

Similarly, they took into account that Partington admitted the allegations and ‘showed remorse’.

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It was considered that publication of the findings would be ‘sufficient’ punitive action in this case.

Sarah Buxcey, the decision maker on behalf of the Secretary of State, wrote: “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."