PAUL BIRCH IN BEDFORD SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL: TEACHER BANNED FOR LIFE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Bedford community, Paul Birch, a former educator at Bedford Modern School, has been permanently barred from ever returning to the teaching profession in England. The disciplinary proceedings revealed disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct involving young boys at the school over four decades ago, leading to a lifetime ban issued by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL).

Paul Birch, now aged 65, was found guilty of engaging in sexually motivated acts towards two boys, both approximately 11 years old, during his tenure at Bedford Modern School. The incidents reportedly occurred around 1975, a period during which Birch was employed as a mathematics and sports teacher. The disciplinary panel uncovered that Birch had called an 11-year-old boy into the master’s dressing room and instructed him to remove his trousers and pants, making inappropriate and sexually suggestive comments. On a separate occasion, similar allegations were made against a second boy of the same age, further implicating Birch in misconduct.

One of the pupils involved in the incidents provided written testimony during the hearing, describing how he believed Birch would have touched him if he had not managed to make an excuse about feeling unwell and hurriedly left the school premises. This testimony highlighted the fear and confusion experienced by the young victims. Despite the gravity of these allegations, Birch was not present at the hearing held in Coventry, nor was he represented during the proceedings. In his written submissions, Birch denied ever having touched or sexually assaulted the boys, asserting that he did not derive any sexual gratification from his actions and acknowledged that his conduct was “stupid.”

However, during the hearing, it was also revealed that Birch had previously claimed to have obtained a “cheap thrill” from watching boys run naked through the school showers, suggesting a pattern of inappropriate behavior. His employment history at Bedford Modern School spanned from 1971 until his resignation as head of mathematics in 2010. After stepping down from his full-time role, Birch was re-employed as a part-time examination officer and also volunteered as a table tennis coach. His involvement in the school community was abruptly halted in 2013 when police were alerted following a report that a pupil had overheard a relative speaking about Birch’s alleged sexual abuse.

The disciplinary hearing focused on incidents that took place “in or around 1975,” and it was noted that Birch had been spoken to by the school’s headmaster about his conduct during that year. The panel’s findings confirmed that Birch’s actions were “sexually motivated” and constituted “unacceptable professional conduct.” They further criticized Birch for lacking insight into the severity of his misconduct, stating that he believed his actions would only be problematic if they became public knowledge. The panel also expressed concern that Birch showed no remorse or understanding of the impact his behavior had on the victims.

In response to these findings, the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, authorized a lifetime ban on Birch’s ability to teach. Alan Meyrick, deputy director of the NCTL, emphasized the seriousness of the case, describing it as an abuse of the trust that teachers are expected to uphold. He supported the panel’s recommendation that Birch be prohibited from working in any educational or youth-related setting in England indefinitely. Meyrick clarified that Birch is not eligible to apply for restoration of his teaching credentials, underscoring the gravity of the misconduct and the importance of safeguarding children from potential harm in educational environments.