DENIS HAYS SHOCKS ROTHERHAM WITH ILLEGAL MEASUREMENTS OF BOYS AT PRIMARY SCHOOL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rotherham, a former teacher named Denis Hays has been permanently banned from the teaching profession following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving young pupils. The incident dates back to the mid-1970s, specifically between 1975 and 1977, during which Hays was employed at Greasbrough Primary School.

According to reports, Hays invited several students to his home under the guise of conducting a personal 'child development study.' These visits, which occurred once every three months over a span of two years, involved the pupils, aged between 11 and 14, being asked to disrobe so that Hays could perform measurements of their bodies. The nature of these measurements was highly invasive, including the boys' heads, arms, legs, necks, chests, and notably, their genitalia, specifically their penises and testicles. The students, who attended the primary school at the time, were unaware that their parents had given permission for these examinations, and in fact, the parents themselves were not informed of the true nature of the study.

It was only in 2015 that the allegations came to light, leading to Hays's dismissal from his teaching position after 46 years of service. The claims emerged when one of the pupils, referred to as Pupil A, reported the misconduct, prompting an investigation by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. During the disciplinary hearing held in March, a panel examined the evidence and heard from the pupils involved.

One of the boys, Pupil A, provided a detailed account of the disturbing procedures. He described how Hays measured their heads, arms, legs, necks, chests, and private parts while they were naked. The other two pupils, Pupil B and Pupil C, confirmed similar experiences. The panel learned that these examinations took place at Hays's private residence, with no other adults present, and that neither the primary school nor the boys' secondary schools were aware of the 'study.'

Hays defended his actions by claiming that the measurements were part of a personal project aimed at helping him achieve further qualifications and career advancement. However, the panel found no evidence that any such study was ever completed or that it was conducted with proper consent. The panel explicitly rejected Hays's assertion that he was naive or unaware of the seriousness of his conduct, stating that he was intentionally trying to keep the true nature of the study hidden from others, fully aware that it was inappropriate.

In light of the evidence, the disciplinary panel concluded that Hays's behavior was sexually motivated and constituted gross misconduct. As a result, he has been banned indefinitely from teaching, marking a significant step in holding him accountable for his actions. The case has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from exploitation, especially in educational settings where trust is paramount.