A religious education teacher has been banned from the profession after a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel concluded he sent sexually motivated messages and a photograph of his naked torso to at least one former pupil who was under 18.
Panel finds communications were sexual in nature
The teacher, Thomas Wilson, 38, was serving as assistant curriculum leader for religious education at St Thomas More RC College, Manchester, when the conduct occurred. The panel heard Mr Wilson gave a former pupil, identified as Student A, his mobile number in the summer of 2022 and later invited her to meet around Christmas that year. In April 2023 he sent a message to Student A which the panel characterised as sexual in tone. In October 2023 he sent a photograph showing his bare torso and part of his groin.
“The panel considered that this conduct had the potential to put Student H and Student A at risk of serious harm.”
The TRA also found that in September 2017 Mr Wilson had messaged another former pupil, Student H, asking: “Have you got the house to yourself tonight? Xxx.” The panel concluded, on the balance of probabilities, that his communications with both former pupils had been pursued for sexual gratification or to establish a sexual relationship.
Sanction and safeguarding implications
As a result of the findings, Mr Wilson has been banned from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college or local authority maintained service. The panel described his behaviour as “abhorrent and wholly unacceptable” and said it had the potential to cause serious harm.
- Who was involved: Thomas Wilson; Student A and Student H (former pupils).
- Institutions named: St Paul’s Catholic High School and St Thomas More RC College, Manchester.
- Outcome: Indefinite prohibition from the teaching profession by the TRA.
What this means for parents and schools
The TRA’s role is to consider whether teachers’ conduct makes them unfit to work with children and young people. An indefinite prohibition removes an individual’s ability to teach in state-maintained schools and many other publicly funded settings. Parents concerned about staff conduct should raise issues with their child's school first and may also make referrals to the local authority designated safeguarding lead or, in serious cases, to the police. Schools must follow statutory safeguarding guidance and have procedures for managing allegations against staff.
| Key dates | Event |
|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | Mobile number given to Student A; invitation to meet later in the year |
| September 2017 | Messages sent to Student H (former pupil) |
| April 2023 | Sexually suggestive message to Student A |
| October 2023 | Photograph of naked torso sent to Student A |
| TRA hearing | Panel finds conduct sexual in nature; prohibition imposed |
For parents and school leaders, this case underlines the need for clear boundaries in communications between staff and pupils, including ex-pupils, and for robust records when concerns arise. The TRA’s public sanctions list can be checked to confirm whether a teacher has been prohibited from the profession.
The panel’s findings are confined to the documented messages and images considered at the hearing. There has been no alteration to statutory guidance concerning staff conduct, but the decision is likely to reinforce existing expectations around safeguarding, professional boundaries, and safe use of personal devices and social media by school staff.
