Overview

• The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel found Simon Graves guilty of sexually motivated misconduct involving three pupils and a junior colleague during his tenure at Carlton le Willows Academy from 2009 to 2014.
• Graves was accused of acts including masturbating in front of a colleague, sending sexually explicit texts to a 17-year-old pupil, and kissing a student at her home while her parents were away.
• The panel concluded that Graves acted for sexual gratification, lacked remorse or insight into his actions, and posed a high risk of repeating such behavior.
• Although acquitted of criminal sexual assault charges in a 2021 trial, the TRA imposed an indefinite teaching ban, with no option for review or restoration.
• The case highlights systemic safeguarding failures in schools and reinforces the need for stronger oversight and accountability in educational institutions.