Manchester teacher banned from classroom for life after sex with 'vulnerable' former pupil

A recent Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing found that music teacher Matthew Hindle began a relationship with a pupil whilst she was enrolled at Tottington High School, where he taught, and after only a few months it developed into a sexual relationship while she was under 18 years old.

The allegations also cover time while Mr Hindle was employed at Oulder Hill Leadership Academy in Rochdale. He began working there in April 2019 and resigned on July 15, 2022. A week later, the TRA received a referral in relation to allegations made about his conduct.

What happened

Mr Hindle, now 36, admitted to two allegations:

Between approximately 2017 and 2021, he failed to maintain proper boundaries and/or engaged in inappropriate conduct with Pupil A whilst she was a pupil and/or after she had left school in that;

a) On one or more occasions drove Pupil A home from school;

b) Gave Pupil A his personal contact details.

Proven

The TRA panel then found the following allegations proven against him:

- He exchanged messages with Pupil A both whilst Pupil A was enrolled at the achool and after she had left. Although Mr Hindle told the panel that he had tried to deflect the girl’s attempts to engage him in a non-professional conversation, he did send an unprompted text, and claimed his Facebook account had been hacked, though the panel were not persuaded by this.

- In or around October 2018, engaged in a video call with Pupil A during which he asked her to remove her clothes

- On or around October 31 2018, kissed and/or engaged in a sexual act with Pupil A. In evidence, the girl was able to describe the layout and interior features of Mr Hindle’s house at the time, including but not limited to bedsheets. In his oral evidence, Mr Hindle suggested that it had been common knowledge that his house had been put up for sale and the estate agents would have put photos of the exterior and interior of his house online.

- Between October 2018 and October 2019, on one or more occasions engaged in intercourse and/or sexual acts with Pupil A.

- At the time the sexual conduct occurred he was or ought to have been aware that Pupil A was vulnerable.

The panel also found proved that his conduct was of a sexual nature and/or sexually motivated.

The panel’s view

A report issued last week stated: “The panel noted that the allegation which post-date August 2018 took place outside the education setting. The panel’s view is that if Mr Hindle’s conduct became known to the school community, it would likely affect his ability to fulfil his teaching role. The panel is of the view that Mr Hindle’s behaviour demonstrated a general disregard to his safeguarding obligations and therefore, by extension, brings into doubt his ability to safeguard other pupils.

“Mr Hindle’s relationship with Pupil A began whilst she was enrolled at the school and after only a few months it developed into a sexual relationship whilst she was under 18 years old. The panel found that in the circumstances this behaviour was harmful to Pupil A. For these reasons, the panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Hindle amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Mr Hindle was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.”

The panel said they were not satisfied that Mr Hindle had shown insight or remorse into his actions andf there was a risk of repetition.

Santion

Decision maker David Oatley said: “Mr Matthew Hindle is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Hindle shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.”

A spokesperson for Oulder Hill Leadership Academy said: “The safeguarding and wellbeing of our pupils is our highest priority. The offences in question took place at the predecessor school, Oulder Hill Community School and Language College, and the school where the individual was previously employed. Shortly after the first allegations were received in July 2020, Oulder Hill Community School and Language College opened an investigation. Subsequently, the member of staff was ordered to work from home and has not returned to the school since.

“The school referred the individual to the Teaching Regulation Agency and has fully supported its investigation. The individual has not worked in the school since it became Oulder Hill Leadership Academy and joined Star Academies.”

Tottington High School has been approached for comment by Manchester World.