A teacher who had sex with a former pupil and then lied to police about his conduct has been banned for life from the profession.
James Cocks had an affair with an ex-pupil and kissed another while working at Regents Park School in Southampton between 2008 and 2012.
He had been working at Varndean School in Brighton for three years when the allegations against him emerged. Interviewed by police in July 2018, he denied the sexual relationship and kissing the second pupil. There were no allegations made about his conduct while he was director of music at the Brighton school from 2015 to when he left on 3 January 2019.
But in a statement of facts given to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel, which met last month to consider whether Mr Cocks should be allowed to continue teaching, he admitted his conduct while working as a music teacher at the Southampton school.
Shortly after the pupil had left his school, contact was established between her and Mr Cocks via social media and between June and September 2009, a consensual sexual relationship took place.
A further complaint emerged that alleged that newly qualified Mr Cocks had kissed a second pupil after she had left the school.
The TRA considered the case in January and its report said: “The panel considered that Mr Cocks and Pupil A knew each other by virtue of his employment and her being a pupil at the school. The panel, therefore, considered that Mr Cocks had a duty to maintain professional boundaries regardless of whether [she] was a current or recent pupil.
“The relationship was consensual but given the imbalance in age and power the panel considered that having a sexual relationship with a current or recent pupil is a gross transgression of appropriate professional boundaries and an abuse of a position of trust.”
The panel said it was clear from the social media messages that there had been a sexual relationship. For example, in August 2009, the pupil was concerned about not having used contraceptives and Mr Cocks reassured her.
In its report, it said: “When interviewed by the police, Mr Cocks lied and this was dishonest and lacking in integrity. Such conduct is unacceptable for a teacher.
“Although there has been no repetition of the conduct, the panel did not consider that Mr Cocks has shown adequate evidence of insight in his representations. The panel considered that despite his admissions Mr Cocks has sought to minimise his actions.”
It said Mr Cocks was “guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute”.
In his decision, Alan Meyrick, acting for the secretary of state, said: “The panel has seen no evidence of adequate insight into the potential impact and effect of his past behaviour on pupils and the reputation of the profession.”
He added: “In my judgement, the lack of insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future well-being of pupils. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision.”
Mr Cocks has been banned indefinitely and is not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach. He has the right to appeal to the High Court against the decision.
