Teacher Andrew Ford banned from schools for life after spying on ex-pupil in bedroom

A FORMER city teacher who was convicted of spying in an ex-pupil's bedroom has been permanently banned from the country's classrooms.

A national Teaching Agency panel said Andrew Michael Ford, 25, should never be allowed to return to the profession because of the "seriousness" of the case.

The hearing was told Ford committed the "voyeurism" offence in August 2011 and, a month later, was employed as a teacher at Chellaston Academy.

After the hearing, held in Coventry, the school said Ford taught maths for about six weeks before he was "immediately suspended" following his arrest.

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Imposing the ban, the panel said Ford's behaviour had the potential to "seriously damage" the reputation of teaching.

The decision followed the Teaching Agency panel's findings in the wake of Ford's conviction.

The panel said: "On April 25, 2012, Mr Ford was convicted of an offence of 'voyeurism', contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

"The conviction related to an incident which involved a 17-year-old former pupil, 'A'. Mr Ford was convicted of placing a 'spy pen' device in A's bedroom on August 7 2011. Mr Ford appealed the conviction but the appeal was rejected.

"He was sentenced to a two-year supervision order and was placed on the Sexual Offenders' Register for five years."

The hearing was told how Ford was convicted at Loughborough Magistrates' Court of installing equipment with the intention of enabling himself – for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification – to observe another person doing a private act, knowing they did not consent.

Ford – living in Firs Road, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Leic-ester, when he was sentenced – was also required to participate in a sex offender treatment programme for 30 days. The panel said: "Mr Ford's conduct has fallen far below the standard expected of a teacher.

"We are of the view that his behaviour has the potential to undermine the reputation of the profession and to significantly damage public confidence in the standards expected of teachers."

Ford – employed at Burleigh College, Loughborough, during the 2010-11 academic year – is now prohibited from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college or children's home in England.

Chellaston Academy head teacher Ray Ruszczynski said: "Mr Ford was immediately suspended when we found out about this incident and he was dismissed following the verdict.

"It happened very quickly and we were surprised."