Teacher sent photo of his penis to teenage girl

David Simpson has been banned from classrooms for life

The ban, imposed on David Simpson, 50, on behalf of Education Secretary Nicky Morgan follows a conviction at Burnely Crown Court for grooming the girl and then attempting to meet her.

Simpson began working with Key Stage Teacher Supply on 20 October 2012, and had taught at Alder Grange Community and Technical College, in Rawtenstall.

The ban was recommended by a National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) disciplinary panel.

At Burnley Crown Court Simpson was sentenced to 12 months prison, suspended for 24 months; ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work; made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years, and a Sex Offenders Notice for ten years; and he was ordered to be under supervision for 12 months.

Disciplinary panel chair, Nicole Jackson, says in the NCTL findings: “The Panel considered that whilst the female involved in the criminal activity was not a pupil of Mr Simpson and nor was she actually a female of school age, his expression of sexual interest in a school girl is highly relevant to working with children.

“The Panel has taken into account his behaviour in sending highly explicit messages (including a photograph of his penis) and the Judge’s comments in the criminal case that he ‘intended to meet a child who was under 15 and intended to have intercourse with her’.”

Imposing the ban on behalf of the Education Secretary, NCTL official Paul Heathcote, said that Simpson’s actions had been found to be “deliberate, calculated and motivated.”

Making the ban a life time one he added: “Throughout the criminal trial, Mr Simpson continued to vehemently protest his innocence and that has remained his position. The Panel does not consider that he has shown insight into his actions and behaviour, even after his conviction.

“The Panel also gave consideration to the Judge’s comments in his summing up at the criminal trial in which he stated that ‘I am not at all satisfied yet that you have learnt your lesson’.

“In all the circumstances I agree that the prohibition order should be without provision for Mr Simpson to apply to have it set aside.”

Simpson has a right of appeal to the High Court.