TERRY PARSLOE AND SHOCKING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN CORNWALL SCHOOLS
A secondary school teacher in Cornwall has been permanently barred from classroom teaching following serious misconduct involving online communications with pupils.Terry Parsloe, a supply teacher at Poltair School in St Austell, was found to have engaged in sexually motivated conversations and activities with students he knew were under the age of 16.
The actions led to his lifetime prohibition from the teaching profession in England.
The incident came to light when it was revealed that Parsloe admitted to sharing explicit messages with minors, knowing their age.
His conduct was considered deeply inappropriate and damaging, prompting the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) to act decisively.
At a hearing held on July 10, the TRA concluded that Parsloe had engaged in what it described as unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that could tarnish the reputation of teachers as a whole.
The decision was made to exclude him from the teaching profession indefinitely.
During the period of his employment, Parsloe was working via the supply agency Teaching Personnel from November 27, 2020, to January 18, 2021.
It was during this timeframe that he engaged in online interactions with students, some of whom had informed him they were under 16.
These interactions appeared to be sexually motivated in nature.
Further investigations revealed that police had executed a search of Parsloe’s residence on January 19, 2021, after which he voluntarily attended a police interview.
A second interview was conducted on October 4, 2021.
Despite these police interactions, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed on July 15 of the previous year that no further legal action would be pursued against him, resulting in no criminal charges being filed.
The police search of Parsloe’s electronic devices uncovered evidence that demonstrated he was fully aware of the minors’ age but continued to pursue sexualized communication.
Among the messages examined, a particularly explicit comment was noted where he referred to “looking down a female’s top.” The findings indicated a pattern of calculated, sexually motivated conduct.
David Oatley, a representative from the TRA responsible for compiling Parsloe’s case report, emphasized the gravity of his misconduct.
“The panel examined the nature of Mr Parsloe’s communications, and they were undeniably sexual,” Oatley stated.
“The report presented to the Crown Prosecutor summarized comments made by Mr Parsloe when police attended his house.
Given his admission and the explicit nature of the messages, it is more likely than not that Mr Parsloe’s behavior was driven by a desire for sexual gratification.” The panel determined that Parsloe’s online activities breached the Standards for Teachers and that his conduct fell significantly below the professional behaviour expected from individuals within the teaching fraternity.
Such serious misconduct not only violates ethical norms but jeopardizes the trust placed in teachers by pupils, parents, and the wider community.
As part of their assessment, the panel considered the influential role teachers hold and the importance of safeguarding pupils’ welfare.
The report further underscored that teachers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical responsibility at all times.
Parsloe’s online actions, however, were found to have seriously contravened those safeguarding obligations.
The panel described his conduct as both calculated and motivated by personal sexual interest.
Despite stress and anxiety reportedly caused by the situation, Parsloe did not show remorse or insight regarding the potential harm to the children involved.
Ultimately, the TRA confirmed that all allegations against Parsloe were substantiated.
The findings were categorized as unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that could bring the teaching profession into disrepute.
The authority recommended a prohibition order with no review period, effectively banning Parsloe from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home across England.
Parsloe retains the right to appeal this decision to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from the official notice of the prohibition order, but he will not be eligible to apply for reinstatement or to have his teaching status restored in the future.
