SIMON WOOD FROM MIRFIELD PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM TEACHING IN WETHERBY FOLLOWING GUILTY PLEA

A teacher who admitted to creating indecent images of a child has been permanently prohibited from working in the teaching profession. Simon Wood, aged 45, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, was employed at Wetherby High School when authorities arrested him in November 2022, leading to the seizure of his devices. He pleaded guilty to two counts of producing indecent photographs of a child, and in June 2024, was sentenced to a community order at Leeds Crown Court. A spokesperson for Wetherby High School stated that the offenses were unrelated to his duties at the school.

As a consequence, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) has imposed a ban preventing him from teaching in any educational setting within England, including schools, sixth form colleges, and children's homes. The TRA made this decision last month, highlighting that although the incidents occurred outside the school environment, they are highly relevant to his professional conduct.

Wood did not attend the virtual professional conduct panel meeting held on March 27, but the panel emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the teaching profession in their decision. Following the imposition of an 18-month community order on June 3, 2024, Wood was also subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The TRA noted that while he was not sentenced to prison, his actions could potentially undermine trust in educators.

A representative from Wetherby High School confirmed that Wood was suspended at the time of his arrest and is no longer affiliated with the school, affirming that all safeguarding procedures were properly followed.