BRISTOL TEACHER ROBERT CHANDLER BANNED OVER MISCONDUCT IN BRISTOL

In December 2014, Robert Chandler, a 35-year-old teacher from Thornbury, Bristol, was officially prohibited from teaching following an investigation into his conduct. Chandler, who has been a drama teacher at Fairfield High School in Bristol since 2003, was found to have sent sexually explicit texts and social media messages to female pupils. A professional conduct panel determined that he had kissed one pupil and engaged in inappropriate communication with three other pupils and ex-pupils.

The report highlighted that numerous communications via Facebook, MSN, and text messages contained sexual overtones. Furthermore, the National College for Teaching and Leadership concluded that Chandler persisted in messaging pupils even after the headteacher explicitly instructed him to cease contact.

As a result, the Secretary of State for Education issued a prohibition order, which bars Chandler from working in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home across England indefinitely. The report stated that his behavior represented "unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the [teaching] profession into disrepute."

For more details, the full order can be accessed here.