ANTHONY BROWN FROM FIGHELDEN AND SALISBURY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AT GOLDOPHIN SCHOOL

In June 2012, a serious case of misconduct involving a trusted educator at a renowned girls’ boarding school in Salisbury has come to light. Anthony Brown, a senior master at the prestigious Goldophin School, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a teenage pupil. Brown, aged 50 and a resident of Figheldean, Wiltshire, had built a close relationship with the girl, whom he took under his wing by offering her additional tutoring and counseling sessions.

According to the proceedings at Salisbury Crown Court, the incident involved Brown’s inappropriate conduct towards the minor, who was between 13 and 15 years old. The court heard that Brown’s interactions extended beyond the classroom, as he was discovered to have been texting the girl and communicating with her outside of school hours. Despite being warned by school authorities about the nature of his relationship with the pupil, Brown continued to pursue the contact, even inviting her to stay overnight at his residence.

The court revealed that Brown had shared a bed with the girl on two separate occasions, during which he sexually touched her. These actions constituted serious breaches of trust and appropriate conduct expected from a teacher. The school’s staff became aware of the situation after a parent raised concerns about Brown’s behavior. An investigation uncovered that Brown had been in contact with the girl through messages and other forms of communication outside of school, prompting the school to take disciplinary action.

Following the discovery, Brown was suspended from his position at the school, which paid approximately £24,000 annually. Subsequently, he resigned from his role. During the court proceedings, Brown pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child aged between 13 and 15. The judge, Keith Cutler, sentenced him to three years in prison, emphasizing the damage caused to the reputation of the teaching profession.

Judge Cutler expressed his disapproval of Brown’s actions, stating, “Parents who send their children to school should be able to have complete confidence that these children will be cared for, respected, and educated. There are clear concerns arising in this case about your position with Goldophin School. There is no doubt that if we had been meeting six months ago, I would have seen you as a teacher of high respect with many years of good service and academic success. Now, six months later, you have thrown away your career, your life, and your good name.”

The judge further described the relationship as one that resembled a father-daughter bond rather than that of a teacher and pupil, noting that the school’s headmistress had recognized warning signs and acted appropriately by suspending Brown. He condemned the persistence of the misconduct, calling it a “gross abuse of trust,” and highlighted the impact on the victim, Brown’s family, and the reputation of the teaching community.

As part of his sentence, Brown was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, banned from working with children for 15 years, and issued a sexual offences prevention order for the same duration. The case underscores the importance of safeguarding and the devastating consequences when trust is betrayed by those in positions of authority. Goldophin School, one of the oldest girls’ schools in the country, is known for its traditional attire, including Edwardian-style smocks and straw boater hats. Notable former pupils include the novelist Jilly Cooper, who returned in 2011 to open a boarding house named in her honor.