West Berkshire schoolteacher barred for ‘sexual interest in children’

A WEST Berkshire schoolteacher with a “sexual interest in children” has been barred from the profession for life.

The male teacher, who taught geography and PE, exchanged sordid photographs with youngsters and asked them for sex after befriending them on social media when they left school.

The Government Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) heard that James McGiveron, who was employed at Denefield School in Tilehurst from September 2016, was arrested for suspected grooming in March 2022.

He reportedly replied “no comment” to the allegations and no criminal charges were brought.

Nevertheless, in its judgement the TRA stated his conduct “indicated a sexual interest in children and a pattern of selecting the most vulnerable in order to pursue them”.

A disciplinary hearing at the school was held in June 2022, following which he ceased to be employed there.

The TRA noted that, almost two years prior to that, McGiveron had been given "professional advice by letter from the school...not to message or otherwise contact a person under the age of 18”.

However the report does not specify whether this was in regards to a specific incident or whether this was generic advice given to teachers...and the school has declined to comment.

One youngster, after accepting a social media friend request from McGiveron, described how the interaction quickly went from “normal to weird”.

The TRA report also stated: “Pupil B described having received images of Mr McGiveron’s penis...Pupil C described that Mr McGiveron had messaged [redacted] to ask [redacted] to meet for sexual intercourse.”

The report said a pupil “stated that Mr McGiveron began to express his fantasies...that he imagined he was having sex...in the classroom or that he would wish [redacted] was there [committing a sex act]”.

McGiveron told one youngster he liked “bent over poses,” adding that he was “horny” and wanted “a picture, now”.

The TRA stated McGiveron sent one youngster a picture of his erect penis after asking for, and receiving, a sexualised photograph.

One youngster said he was aware, even while at the school, about rumours surrounding the teacher's conduct.

The TRA has barred McGiveron from the profession for life.

Headteacher Edwin Towill said in a statement: “The school is aware of an investigation by the Teacher Regulation Agency into the conduct of Mr McGiveron.

“Mr McGiveron is no longer employed by Denefield School and has not worked at the school for over 18 months.

“Whilst we are not able to comment on individual cases, as a school we put student safety at the heart of all we do.

“Denefield School has rigorous safeguarding policies in place to protect our pupils and we are satisfied that these procedures have been followed appropriately in this instance.”