DAVID NOBLE BANISHED FROM ENGLISH CLASSROOMS FOLLOWING CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN WARWICKSHIRE

A teacher at a private school charging up to £13,000 per year has been permanently barred from teaching after being found in possession of child sex abuse images. David Noble, aged 59, was arrested at the school premises when his crimes were uncovered. He had worked at Bilton Grange Preparatory School in Rugby, Warwickshire — serving children aged three to 13 — for over 20 years before his arrest. The court issued him a community order following his conviction.

A misconduct panel from the Teaching Regulation Agency confirmed that Noble breached professional standards and engaged in misconduct, as reported by Birmingham Live. Noble began working at Bilton Grange in September 1996, teaching ICT and French, and also acting as a lay chaplain.

He was arrested at his residence on the school estate, according to reports. Between March 30, 2017, and March 27, 2021, Noble collected a total of 93 indecent images of children. On October 23, 2023, he was given a community order that included 100 hours of unpaid work, participation in a 60-day programme, and attendance at a 40-day rehabilitation activity.

Noble was also subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order and required to stay on the sex offenders register for five years. Noble did not participate in the proceedings with the Teaching Regulation Agency, and thus, his hearing was held in his absence. Decision maker David Oatley stated, "The panel finds that Noble's conduct fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a conviction for making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child."

He further remarked, "In my judgement, the lack of evidence of insight and remorse means that there is some 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."

Following a hearing in February, Noble was issued a prohibition order, effectively banning him from working in any educational setting in England indefinitely, including schools, sixth-form colleges, and children's homes.

Bilton Grange Preparatory School, located on 90 acres in the Warwickshire countryside, charges day and boarding pupils fees ranging from £5,427 to £13,170. A school spokesperson stated, "We were shocked when we heard the allegations about David Noble and immediately suspended him from his role, dismissing him at the first opportunity. We welcome the Teaching Regulation Agency panel's decision to bar him from the profession."

It is noted that Noble's crimes did not occur on school grounds and did not involve any other members of the school community.