Mr Thomas Hancock

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

Teacher's name: Mr Thomas Hancock

Teacher reference number: 1336142

Teacher's date of birth: 30 April 1992

Date of professional conduct panel: 30 January 2024

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 Thomas Hancock.

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 Thomas Hancock: Professional conduct panel meeting outcome Panel decision and reasons on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education January 2024 2 Contents Introduction 3 Allegations 4 Preliminary applications 4 Summary of evidence 5 Documents 5 Statement of agreed facts 5 Decision and reasons 5 Findings of fact 5 Panel’s recommendation to the Secretary of State 8 Decision and reasons on behalf of the Secretary of State 11 3 Professional conduct panel decision and recommendations, and decision on behalf of the Secretary of State Teacher: Mr Thomas Hancock Teacher ref number: 1336142 Teacher date of birth: 30 April 1992 TRA reference: 20978 Date of determination: 30 January 2024 Former employer: [REDACTED] Introduction A professional conduct panel (“the panel”) of the Teaching Regulation Agency (“the TRA”) convened virtually on 30 January 2024, to consider the case of Mr Thomas Hancock. The panel members were Mr Alan Wells (former teacher panellist – in the chair), Mrs Cathy Logan (teacher panellist) and Ms Nicola Hartley (lay panellist). The legal adviser to the panel was Miss Claire Watson of Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP solicitors. In advance of the meeting, after taking into consideration the public interest and the interests of justice, the TRA agreed to a request from Mr Thomas Hancock that the allegations be considered without a hearing. Mr Hancock provided a signed statement of agreed facts and admitted conviction of a relevant offence. The panel considered the case at a meeting without the attendance of the presenting officer Ms Sherelle Appleby of Browne Jacobson LLP or Mr Thomas Hancock. The meeting took place in private. 4 Allegations The panel considered the allegations set out in the notice of meeting dated 18 January 2024. It was alleged that Mr Thomas Hancock was guilty of having been convicted of a relevant offence, in that he was convicted of the following offences: 1. Cause/incite Sexual activity with Female 13-17 Offender 18 or Over Abuse of Position of Trust 2. Sexual activity with female 13 to 17 offender does not believe victim is over 18 Abuse of position of trust 3. Adult abuse of position of trust causing a child 13 to 17 to watch a sexual act contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 4. Sexual activity on a female Mr Hancock admitted the facts of the allegations and conviction of a relevant offence. Preliminary applications At the outset of the meeting, it was noted that allegation 4 stated ‘sexual activity on a female’. However, the signed Statement of Agreed Facts and certificate of conviction stated ‘sexual assault on a female’. The panel considered whether to amend the Notice of Meeting by amending allegation 4 to state ‘sexual assault on a female’. The panel has the power to, in the interests of justice, amend an allegation or the particulars of an allegation, at any stage before making its decision about whether the facts of the case have been proved. The panel exercised caution given that the meeting proceeded in the absence of the presenting officer and teacher. The panel considered that the amendment was the correction of a typographical error. There was no prospect of the teacher’s case being presented differently had the amendment been made at an earlier stage, and therefore no unfairness or prejudice caused to the teacher. The panel considered that the amendment reflected the admissions made by the teacher in the signed Statement of Agreed Facts and reflected the certificate of conviction. The panel therefore decided to amend the allegation as follows: You are guilty of a conviction of a relevant offence, in that you have been convicted of the following offences: 1. Cause/incite Sexual activity with Female 13-17 Offender 18 or Over Abuse of Position of Trust 2. Sexual activity with female 13 to 17 offender does not believe victim is over 18 Abuse of position of trust 3. Adult abuse of position of trust causing a child 13 to 17 to watch a sexual act contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 5 4. Sexual assault on a female Summary of evidence Documents In advance of the meeting, the panel received a bundle of documents which included: Section 1: Notice of meeting and notice of referral response – pages 4 to 9 Section 2: Statement of Agreed Facts – pages 11 to 13 Section 3: Teaching Regulation Agency documents – pages 15 to 103 Section 4: Teacher documents – page 105 The panel members confirmed that they had read all of the documents within the bundle, in advance of the meeting. Statement of agreed facts The panel considered a statement of agreed facts which was signed by Mr Thomas Hancock on 7 December 2023. Decision and reasons The panel announced its decision and reasons as follows: The panel carefully considered the case and reached a decision. In advance of the meeting, the TRA agreed to a request from Mr Thomas Hancock for the allegations to be considered without a hearing. The panel had the ability to direct that the case be considered at a hearing if required in the interests of justice or in the public interest. The panel did not determine that such a direction was necessary or appropriate in this case. Mr Hancock had been employed as a [REDACTED]teacher at [REDACTED] (“the School”) from 1 September 2014 until his dismissal on 26 March 2021. [REDACTED], a pupil brought to the School’s attention Mr Hancock’s behaviour towards another pupil, Pupil A. [REDACTED], Mr Hancock was arrested and the School suspended him. [REDACTED], Pupil B raised further allegations regarding Mr Hancock’s behaviour towards her. Findings of fact The findings of fact are as follows: 6 The panel found the following particulars of the allegations against you proved, for these reasons: You have been convicted of the following offences: 1. Cause/incite Sexual activity with Female 13-17 Offender 18 or Over Abuse of Position of Trust 2. Sexual activity with female 13 to 17 offender does not believe victim is over 18 Abuse of position of trust 3. Adult abuse of position of trust causing a child 13 to 17 to watch a sexual act contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 4. Sexual assault on a female The allegations were admitted and supported by evidence presented to the panel in the bundle. The panel had sight of a signed statement of agreed facts, in which Mr Hancock accepted [REDACTED] he was convicted on his own confession for: a. 2 counts of sexual activity with a female aged 13-17 and that this was an abuse of his position of trust; b. one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act; and c. one count of sexual assault on a female. The panel had sight of a certificate of conviction. The panel accepted the certificate of conviction as conclusive proof of both the conviction and the facts necessarily implied by the conviction. Mr Hancock was sentenced to a total of 16 months imprisonment, is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and a Sex Offenders Notice for 10 years. The allegations were therefore, found proved. Findings as to conviction of a relevant offence The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Hancock, in relation to the facts it found proved, involved breaches of the Teachers’ Standards. The panel considered that by reference to Part 2, Mr Hancock was in breach of the following standards: Teachers uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school, by 7 o treating pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position o having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions o showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others Teachers must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality. Teachers must have an understanding of, and always act within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities. The panel noted that Mr Hancock’s actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and working in an education setting. The panel had sight of the sentencing remarks and notes from the School’s disciplinary investigation, and noted that Mr Hancock had built a relationship with the 2 pupils as a result of the trust built within a teacher and pupil relationship. The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offence would have been likely to have had an impact on the safety and security of pupils. The panel also took account of the way the teaching profession is viewed by others. The panel considered that Mr Hancock’s behaviour in committing the offence would be likely to affect public confidence in the teaching profession, if Mr Hancock was allowed to continue teaching. The panel noted that Mr Hancock’s behaviour ultimately led to a sentence of imprisonment, which was indicative of the seriousness of the offences committed, and which the Advice states is likely to be considered “a relevant offence”. This was a case concerning an offence involving sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and controlling or coercive behaviour. Mr Hancock had been convicted of 2 counts of sexual activity and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act. Although the panel did not have sight of messages sent from Mr Hancock to the pupils, the sentencing remarks refer to a vast amount of inappropriate, sexual communication from Mr Hancock to a pupil of an intimidating nature. The sentencing remarks also stated that, in communication with one of the pupils, Mr Hancock had referred to his ability to ‘massage’ her grades. The Advice indicates that a conviction for any offence that relates to or involves such offences is likely to be considered “a relevant offence”. The panel considered that there were a number of factors which increased the gravity of the offence, which aligned with the sentencing remarks. The panel noted that this was 8 not a one off incident, with Mr Hancock having engaged in an inappropriate relationship with 2 pupils [REDACTED]. The panel noted that the pupils were considered vulnerable and Mr Hancock had abused his position of trust. Mr Hancock did not provide mitigation evidence to the panel. It was noted that Mr Hancock had admitted his actions to the police and pleaded guilty. Although the panel found that there was no criticism of Mr Hancock’s teaching proficiency, the panel also found that the seriousness of the offending behaviour that led to the conviction was relevant to Mr Hancock’s fitness to be a teacher. The panel considered that a finding that these convictions were for relevant offences was necessary to reaffirm clear standards of conduct so as to maintain public confidence in the teaching profession. Panel’s recommendation to the Secretary of State Given the panel’s findings in respect of a conviction of a relevant offence, it was necessary for the panel to go on to consider whether it would be appropriate to recommend the imposition of a prohibition order by the Secretary of State. In considering whether to recommend to the Secretary of State that a prohibition order is appropriate, the panel had to consider the public interest, the seriousness of the behaviour and any mitigation offered by Mr Hancock and whether a prohibition order is necessary and proportionate. Prohibition orders should not be given in order to be punitive, or to show that blame has been apportioned, although they are likely to have a punitive effect. The panel had regard to the particular public interest considerations set out in the Advice and, having done so, found a number of them to be relevant in this case, namely, the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, the protection of other members of the public, the maintenance of public confidence in the profession and declaring and upholding proper standards of conduct. The panel also considered the interest of retaining the teacher in the profession. In the light of the panel’s findings against Mr Hancock, which involved a conviction for 2 counts of sexual activity with a female aged 13-17, one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act and one count of sexual assault on a female, there was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, given the serious findings of an inappropriate relationship with a pupil. Similarly, the panel considered that public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against Mr Hancock were not treated with the utmost seriousness when regulating the conduct of the profession. 9 The panel was of the view that a strong public interest consideration in declaring proper standards of conduct in the profession was also present as the conduct found against Mr Hancock was outside that which could reasonably be tolerated. Whilst there is evidence that Mr Hancock had ability as an educator, the panel considered that the adverse public interest considerations above outweigh any interest in retaining Mr Hancock in the profession, since his behaviour fundamentally breached the standard of conduct expected of a teacher, and he sought to exploit his position of trust. The panel considered carefully the seriousness of the behaviour, noting that the Advice states that the expectation of both the public and pupils, is that members of the teaching profession maintain an exemplary level of integrity and ethical standards at all times. The panel noted that a teacher’s behaviour that seeks to exploit their position of trust should be viewed very seriously in terms of its potential influence on pupils and be seen as a possible threat to the public interest. The panel took further account of the Advice, which suggests that a panel will likely consider a teacher’s behaviour to be incompatible with being a teacher if there is evidence of one or more of the factors that begin on page 15. In the list of such factors, those that were relevant in this case were: • serious departure from the personal and professional conduct elements of the Teachers’ Standards; • the commission of a serious criminal offence, including those that resulted in a conviction or caution, paying particular attention to offences that are “relevant matters” for the purposes of the Police Act 1997 and criminal record disclosure; • misconduct seriously affecting the education and/or safeguarding and well- being of pupils, and particularly where there is a continuing risk; • abuse of position or trust (particularly involving vulnerable pupils); • an abuse of any trust, knowledge, or influence gained through their professional position in order to advance a romantic or sexual relationship with a pupil or former pupil; • sexual misconduct, for example, involving actions that were sexually motivated or of a sexual nature and/or that use or exploit the trust, knowledge or influence derived from the individual’s professional position; • failure in their duty of care towards a child, including exposing a child to risk or failing to promote the safety and welfare of the children (as set out in Part 1 of KCSIE); • violation of the rights of pupils; 10 • sustained or serious bullying (including cyberbullying), or other deliberate behaviour that undermines pupils, the profession, the school or colleagues. Even though some of the behaviour found proved in this case indicated that a prohibition order would be appropriate, taking account of the public interest and the seriousness of the behaviour and the likely harm to the public interest were the teacher be allowed to continue to teach, the panel went on to consider whether there were mitigating circumstances. Mr Hancock’s actions were deliberate. He had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with not one but 2 pupils. There was no evidence that Mr Hancock was acting under extreme duress, eg a physical threat or significant intimidation and, in fact, the panel found Mr Hancock’s actions to be calculated and motivated. Mr Hancock did have a previously good history, but the panel saw no evidence that he had demonstrated exceptionally high standards in both his personal and professional conduct or contributed significantly to the education sector. The panel saw no evidence that showed Mr Hancock was previously subject to disciplinary proceedings or warnings. Although the panel had sight of a reference from 2014 provided as part of Mr Hancock’s job application to the School, the panel was not provided with current references from colleagues that could attest to Mr Hancock’s abilities as a teacher. The panel noted that Mr Hancock accepted responsibility for his actions. However, the panel was not provided with sufficient evidence to be able to comment on Mr Hancock’s level of insight or remorse. The panel first considered whether it would be proportionate to conclude this case with no recommendation of prohibition, considering whether the publication of the findings made by the panel would be sufficient. The panel was of the view that, applying the standard of the ordinary intelligent citizen, it would not be a proportionate and appropriate response to recommend no prohibition order. Recommending that the publication of adverse findings would be sufficient would unacceptably compromise the public interest considerations present in this case, despite the severity of the consequences for Mr Hancock of prohibition. The panel was of the view that prohibition was both proportionate and appropriate. The panel decided that the public interest considerations outweighed the interests of Mr Hancock. The convictions for sexual activity were a significant factor in forming that opinion. Accordingly, the panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect. 11 The panel went on to consider whether or not it would be appropriate for it to decide to recommend a review period of the order. The panel was mindful that the Advice states that a prohibition order applies for life, but there may be circumstances, in any given case, that may make it appropriate to allow a teacher to apply to have the prohibition order reviewed after a specified period of time that may not be less than 2 years. The Advice indicates that there are cases involving certain conduct where it is likely that the public interest will have greater relevance and weigh in favour of not offering a review period. These cases include serious sexual misconduct, e.g. where the act was sexually motivated and resulted in, or had the potential to result in, harm to a person or persons, particularly where the individual has used his professional position to influence or exploit a person or persons and any sexual misconduct involving a child. The panel found that Mr Hancock was responsible for engaging in sexual activity with a female aged 13-17, caused a child to watch a sexual act and committed a sexual assault on a female, which it considered to be serious sexual misconduct. Although in an email to the presenting officer Mr Hancock stated he knows his actions have impacted the lives of many families and individuals, the panel was not provided with evidence as to Mr Hancock’s level of insight or remorse. The panel decided that the findings indicated a situation in which a review period would not be appropriate and, as such, decided that it would be proportionate, in all the circumstances, for the prohibition order to be recommended without provisions for a review period. Decision and reasons on behalf of the Secretary of State I have given very careful consideration to this case and to the recommendation of the panel in respect of both sanction and review period. In considering this case, I have also given very careful attention to the Advice that the Secretary of State has published concerning the prohibition of teachers. In this case, the panel has found all of the allegations proven and found that those proven facts amount to a relevant conviction. The panel has made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that Mr Thomas Hancock should be the subject of a prohibition order, with no provision for a review period. In particular, the panel has found that Mr Hancock is in breach of the following standards: Teachers uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school, by 12 o treating pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position o having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions o showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others Teachers must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality. Teachers must have an understanding of, and always act within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities. The panel finds that the conduct of Mr Hancock fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a finding of a conviction involving sexual activity, sexual communication with a child and controlling or coercive behaviour. I have to determine whether the imposition of a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest. In considering that for this case, I have considered the overall aim of a prohibition order which is to protect pupils and to maintain public confidence in the profession. I have considered the extent to which a prohibition order in this case would achieve that aim taking into account the impact that it will have on the individual teacher. I have also asked myself, whether a less intrusive measure, such as the published finding of a relevant conviction, would itself be sufficient to achieve the overall aim. I have to consider whether the consequences of such a publication are themselves sufficient. I have considered therefore whether or not prohibiting Mr Hancock, and the impact that will have on the teacher, is proportionate and in the public interest. In this case, I have considered the extent to which a prohibition order would protect children/safeguard pupils. The panel has observed, “In the light of the panel’s findings against Mr Hancock, which involved a conviction for 2 counts of sexual activity with a female aged 13-17, one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act and one count of sexual assault on a female, there was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, given the serious findings of an inappropriate relationship with a pupil.” A prohibition order would therefore prevent such a risk from being present in the future. I have also taken into account the panel’s comments on insight and remorse, which the panel sets out as follows, “Mr Hancock did not provide mitigation evidence to the panel. It was noted that Mr Hancock had admitted his actions to the police and pleaded guilty.” In my judgement, the lack of evidence of full insight or remorse means that there is some 13 risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision. I have gone on to consider the extent to which a prohibition order would maintain public confidence in the profession. The panel observe, “The panel also took account of the way the teaching profession is viewed by others. The panel considered that Mr Hancock’s behaviour in committing the offence would be likely to affect public confidence in the teaching profession, if Mr Hancock was allowed to continue teaching.” I am particularly mindful of the finding of a conviction for sexual offences involving pupils in this case and the impact that such a finding has on the reputation of the profession. I have had to consider that the public has a high expectation of professional standards of all teachers and that the public might regard a failure to impose a prohibition order as a failure to uphold those high standards. In weighing these considerations, I have had to consider the matter from the point of view of an “ordinary intelligent and well-informed citizen.” I have considered whether the publication of a finding of a relevant conviction, in the absence of a prohibition order, can itself be regarded by such a person as being a proportionate response to the misconduct that has been found proven in this case. I have also considered the impact of a prohibition order on Mr Hancock himself and the panel comment “Mr Hancock did have a previously good history, but the panel saw no evidence that he had demonstrated exceptionally high standards in both his personal and professional conduct or contributed significantly to the education sector.” A prohibition order would prevent Mr Hancock from teaching. A prohibition order would also clearly deprive the public of his contribution to the profession for the period that it is in force. In this case, I have placed considerable weight on the panel’s comments concerning the seriousness of the offence, “The panel considered that there were a number of factors which increased the gravity of the offence, which aligned with the sentencing remarks. The panel noted that this was not a one off incident, with Mr Hancock having engaged in an inappropriate relationship with 2 pupils [REDACTED]. The panel noted that the pupils were considered vulnerable and Mr Hancock had abused his position of trust.” I have also placed considerable weight on the finding of the panel that “Although in an email to the presenting officer Mr Hancock stated he knows his actions have impacted the lives of many families and individuals, the panel was not provided with evidence as to Mr Hancock’s level of insight or remorse.” When making my decision I have also considered the following comment from the panel “Whilst there is evidence that Mr Hancock had ability as an educator, the panel considered that the adverse public interest considerations above outweigh any interest in 14 retaining Mr Hancock in the profession, since his behaviour fundamentally breached the standard of conduct expected of a teacher, and he sought to exploit his position of trust.” I have given less weight in my consideration of sanction therefore, to the contribution that Mr Hancock has made to the profession. In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession. A published decision, in light of the circumstances in this case, that is not backed up by full insight or remorse, does not in my view satisfy the public interest requirement concerning public confidence in the profession. For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest in order to achieve the intended aims of a prohibition order. I have gone on to consider the matter of a review period. In this case, the panel has recommended that no provision should be made for a review period. I have considered the panel’s comments “The Advice indicates that there are cases involving certain conduct where it is likely that the public interest will have greater relevance and weigh in favour of not offering a review period. These cases include serious sexual misconduct, e.g. where the act was sexually motivated and resulted in, or had the potential to result in, harm to a person or persons, particularly where the individual has used his professional position to influence or exploit a person or persons and any sexual misconduct involving a child. The panel found that Mr Hancock was responsible for engaging in sexual activity with a female aged 13-17, caused a child to watch a sexual act and committed a sexual assault on a female, which it considered to be serious sexual misconduct.” In this case, factors mean that allowing a review period is not sufficient to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession. These elements are the seriousness of the findings, involving sexual activity with 2 pupils, and the lack of evidence of full insight or remorse. I consider therefore that allowing for no review period is necessary to maintain public confidence and is proportionate and in the public interest. This means that Mr Thomas Hancock 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 Hancock 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 Hancock has a right of appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from the date he is given notice of this order. 15 Decision maker: Sarah Buxcey Date: 5 February 2024 This decision is taken by the decision maker named above on behalf of the Secretary of State.