A groping PE teacher at a top private school in North London has been spared a life ban from the profession. Liam Oakes admitted sexual misconduct towards two staff members at Mill Hill School after an end-of-term social event, which began at a nearby pub and finished back on the school premises after closing hours on July 1 2021.
Individual A reported Oakes to the school on July 16, and further complaints were made by Individual B during the school’s internal investigation. The matter was referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), where Oakes admitted the allegations in full at a hearing held in March this year.
The panel heard how Oakes made repeated advances to Individual A, persisting making advances and even knocking on the toilet door while she was inside. Individual A said Oakes stroked her face, tried to hold her hand, and grabbed her bottom. During the school’s investigation, Oakes said he had consumed ‘a significant amount of alcohol’ and was ‘devastated and ashamed’ of himself.
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Individual B made similar allegations about the same night, which were admitted in full by Oakes. It started when Oakes put his hand on her leg, then asked her sexual questions, including ‘When was the last time you had sex?’; ‘I bet you have not had sex for ages’; and ‘you must be really horny’. He then followed her and tried to grab her before putting her in a headlock which reduced her to tears.
Individual B also disclosed a previous incident in December 2019 when she shared a taxi home with Oakes and he tried to hold her hand. Despite her refusal, when they got to her home, she said he also tried to hug her and then grabbed her bottom. Individual B said she locked herself in her room and did not speak to him again until the night of the staff social in July 2021.
Oakes admitted it all, that it was sexually motivated and his behaviour was ‘out of order’. He also said he had not intended his actions towards the first colleague in a ‘horrible’ way, and that he had not ‘read’ the situation with the second person.
Actions were at ‘the lower end of seriousness’
Despite admitting multiple incidents of sexual misconduct, the panel fell short of issuing a prohibition order. They found the sexual misconduct was at ‘the lower end of seriousness’ and a life ban from the profession would be disproportionate.
Crediting Oakes’ full admission, good character references, previous good character, and relative newness in the profession, the ruling said: “The panel considered that the publication of the adverse findings it made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable…”
“Having considered the significant impact that publication of these findings would have on Mr Oakes and his future in the profession, the panel determined that are commendation for a prohibition order would not be appropriate in this case.
“The panel was satisfied that any risk Mr Oakes presented to colleagues was not at a level which required permanent restrictive regulatory action.”
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