Unknown Teacher

The Secretary of State does not make these decisions herself. They are made by a senior official on the recommendation of an independent panel.

Teacher reference number:

9950955

Teacher's date of birth:

9 June 1975

Location teacher worked:

Wiltshire, South West England

Date of professional conduct panel:

24 April 2015

Outcome type:

Prohibition order

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with The Teacher's’ Disciplinary (England) Regulations 2012, a professional conduct panel was convened to consider the case of Mr Matthew Glyn White, formerly employed in Wiltshire, South West England.

The proceedings were held at 53-55 Butts Road, Earlsdon Park, Coventry CV1 3BH at 09:30 am on 24 April 2015.

Teacher misconduct

Ground Floor, South

Cheylesmore House

5 Quinton RoadCoventryCV1 2WT

Email TRA.Casework@education.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7593 5393

Information about regulating the teaching profession and the process for dealing with serious teacher misconduct.

Mr Matthew Glyn White: Professional conduct panel outcome Panel decision and reasons on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education April 2015 2 Contents A. Introduction 3 B. Allegations 4 C. Preliminary applications 4 D. Summary of evidence 4 Documents 4 Witnesses 5 E. Decision and reasons 5 Panel’s recommendation to the Secretary of State 6 Decision and reasons on behalf of the Secretary of State 6 3 A. Introduction A professional conduct panel (“the panel”) of the National College for Teaching and Leadership (“the National College”) convened on 24 April 2015 at 53-55 Butts Road, Earlsdon Park, Coventry CV1 3BH to consider the case of Mr Matthew Glyn White. The panel members were Mr Colin Parker (teacher panellist – in the chair), Ms Fiona Tankard (teacher panellist), and Mr Martin Greenslade (lay panellist). The legal adviser to the panel was Mr Nick Leale of Blake Morgan Solicitors. The presenting officer for the National College, who was not present, was Ms Katie Henderson of Nabarro LLP Solicitors. Mr Matthew White was not present and was not represented. The meeting took place in private. The announcement of the decisions of the panel were announced in public and recorded. Professional conduct panel decision and recommendations, and decision on behalf of the Secretary of State Teacher: Mr Matthew Glyn White Teacher ref no: 9950955 Teacher date of birth: 9 June 1975 NCTL case ref no: 12201 Date of determination: 24 April 2015 Formerly employed: Wiltshire, South West England 4 B. Allegations The panel considered the allegations set out in the Notice of Meeting dated 16 April 2015. It was alleged that Mr Matthew White was guilty of a conviction, at any time, of a relevant offence in that: 1. On 30 January 2014, in the North West Magistrates Court, he was convicted of the offence of battery, in that on 12 January 2014 he assaulted Ms A by beating her, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; And that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute in that: 2. On 23 March 2009, he accepted a caution from Wiltshire Constabulary for the offence of battery, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Mr White admitted the facts in full and that they amounted to conviction of a relevant offence, unacceptable professional conduct and conduct which may bring the profession into disrepute. Such admissions were made by way of his Notice of Referral Form dated 18 February 2015 and a statement of agreed facts signed by him on 23 March 2015. C. Preliminary applications No preliminary applications were made. D. Summary of evidence Documents In advance of the hearing, the panel received a bundle of documents which included: Section 1 – Chronology – page 2 Section 2 – Notice of Referral, response and Notice of Meeting – pages 4-9b Section 3 – Statement of agreed facts and presenting office representations – pages 11- 17 Section 4 – National College for Teaching and Leadership documents – pages 19-191 Section 5 – Teacher documents – pages 193-196. The panel members confirmed that they had read all of the documents in advance of the meeting. 5 Witnesses No oral evidence was called at the meeting. E. Decision and reasons The panel announced its decision and reasons as follows: We have now carefully considered the case before us and have reached a decision. We confirm that we have read all the documents provided in the bundle in advance of the meeting. This matter relates to a teacher who was cautioned for an offence of battery (domestic violence) prior to his entry to the profession who was subsequently, when a member of the profession, convicted of an identical offence, following which he received a fine and 2 year Community Order and became the subject of a Restraining Order relating to his partner. Findings of fact Our findings of fact are as follows: We have found the following particulars of the allegation(s) against you proven, for these reasons: 1. You are guilty of a conviction of a relevant offence in that on 30 January 2014, in the North West Magistrates Court, you were convicted of the offence of battery, in that on 12 January 2014 you assaulted Ms A by beating her, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This particular has been admitted and is, in any event, proved by the documentation in the bundle. 2. On 23 March 2009 you accepted a caution from Wiltshire Constabulary for the offence of battery, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This particular has been admitted and is, in any event, proved by the documentation in the bundle. Findings as to unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute and/or conviction of a relevant offence We find that the conviction of 30 January 2014 amounts to a relevant offence. It is an offence of violence and indeed of domestic violence. It was committed subsequent to the 6 receipt of a police caution for an identical offence. Such conduct is contrary to the high standards of personal behaviour expected of a teacher and has the potential to have an adverse effect on public confidence in the teaching profession. Furthermore, it has been accepted by the teacher that the conviction amounts to a relevant offence. For similar reasons as to those laid out above the panel considers that Mr White has, by way of the caution of 23 March 2009, demonstrated conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. The caution was for an offence of domestic violence and such conduct is potentially damaging to the public's perception of the teaching profession. As the conduct relating to the caution does not affect the way in which the teacher may fulfil his teaching role we do not find that it amounts to unacceptable professional conduct. Panel’s recommendation to the Secretary of State We recommend the imposition of a prohibition order by the Secretary of State. Furthermore we recommend that the teacher should not be allowed, at any time, to have the prohibition order reviewed. The teacher has been guilty of repeated incidents of domestic violence against his partner. The first preceded his entry into the teaching profession which, in our view, makes the repeat of similar conduct when a member of the teaching profession all the more serious. Such repetitive violent conduct is incompatible with being a teacher. It demonstrates a deep seated attitude that leads to harmful behaviour towards his partner. The panel has had sight of a number of supportive documents indicating that the teacher is a good and sometimes inspirational teacher. However, this mitigation does not outweigh the seriousness of the violent criminal offending that he has committed. In our view proper standards of conduct can only be declared and upheld and the maintenance of public confidence in the profession can only be maintained by a lifetime prohibition order. Decision and reasons on behalf of the Secretary of State I have carefully considered the findings and recommendations of the panel in this case. The panel has found the facts proven and judged that those facts amount to conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute and conviction of a relevant offence. The two incidents in question have resulted in a conviction and a police caution for battery. Mr White has been guilty of repeated incidents of domestic violence against his partner. Whilst the first preceded his entry into the teaching profession, the repeat behaviour occurred when Mr White was a member of the profession. I agree with the panel’s view that the repeat of similar conduct when a member of the teaching profession makes his 7 actions all the more serious and that such repetitive violent conduct is incompatible with being a teacher. I agree that prohibition is an appropriate and proportionate sanction. Mr White’s actions demonstrate a deep seated attitude that has led to harmful behaviour towards his partner. Whilst the panel has had sight of a number of supportive documents indicating that the Mr White is a good and sometimes inspirational teacher, he has committed a violent criminal offence and I agree that the order should be without the opportunity to apply to have it set aside. This means that Mr Matthew Glyn White is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Matthew Glyn White shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach. This order takes effect from the date on which it is served on the teacher. Mr Matthew Glyn White has a right of appeal to the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from the date he is given notice of this order. NAME OF DECISION MAKER: Paul Heathcote Date: 28 April 2015 This decision is taken by the decision maker named above on behalf of the Secretary of State.