ROBBIE BRITTAIN FROM LODDON STRUCK OFF OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AT LANGLEY SCHOOL

In January 2019, Robbie Brittain, a former physics teacher at the prestigious Langley School in Loddon, Norfolk, was disqualified from teaching following serious misconduct allegations. Brittain, 33, who was earning approximately £32,000 annually at the boarding school, was found to have engaged in inappropriate sexual touching with a female student within a communal room.

A misconduct hearing revealed that Brittain attempted to conceal his actions by draping a coat over himself and the girl during the incident. The incident occurred during the period from 2013 to 2014, after Brittain had arranged extra tuition sessions in the school's shared spaces. It was alleged that he inappropriately touched her vaginal area and placed her hand on his private parts.

Although Brittain, who was engaged at the time, maintains his innocence and asserts that the coat was simply used as a makeshift table, the disciplinary panel found the allegations proven 'on the balance of probabilities.' The panel's chair, Anthony Greenwood, stated, "Pupil A states that within a few weeks of the tuition starting, Mr. Brittain engaged in sexual touching with her. She noted that he would place a coat over both of them, which was also used as a makeshift table but served to hide their actions."

The misconduct was brought to light when the student confided in a friend during a school trip. Following this disclosure, a teacher was informed, leading to Brittain's arrest. He was subsequently charged with engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 16 but was acquitted of criminal charges in 2016 after claiming that the girl often lied and exaggerated. Brittain also argued that the coat was merely a makeshift table.

Despite the acquittal, the disciplinary panel found that there was no evidence to suggest that the girl’s accusations were fabricated. The hearing also disclosed that the girl had written poetry referencing her teacher, including one directed at Brittain’s fiancée, titled: "Why do you want me when you have her?" She further claimed that Brittain warned her he would be 'screwed' if she revealed their relationship.

The panel concluded that Brittain’s actions constituted proven misconduct with a sexual motivation and sentenced him to an indefinite ban from teaching. Greenwood emphasized the credibility of the student's account, stating, "Her account was both compelling and credible, and for that reason it is preferred over Mr. Brittain's explanation." The panel expressed concern about the possibility of recurrence and the potential harm to pupils.

In light of these findings, the panel underscored that such misconduct damages the reputation of the teaching profession and erodes public trust. Consequently, a prohibition order was deemed necessary to protect the integrity of the profession.

Brittain, previously residing in Wymondham, Norfolk, left Langley School in February 2016 after reaching a settlement agreement. Notably, Langley School, which charges up to £16,000 per year for day pupils and £32,000 for boarders, responded to the allegations by suspending Brittain immediately upon learning of them.