Ex-Dudley supply teacher Austin Murphy banned from teaching

Austin Murphy, who was working as a supply teacher at Redhill School via First for Education at the time allegations were raised, has been prohibited from ever teaching in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation or children’s home after unacceptable professional conduct was proven.

At a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency, it was alleged the 46-year-old teacher engaged in inappropriate behaviour with a child between 2017 and 2019.

The panel, which met virtually from January 9 to 12, was told Mr Murphy sent inappropriate messages that stated ‘I may have ****ed you up’ and ‘I got you the pen knife to cut yourself’.

He was also alleged to have sent a card to the child with inappropriate comments – referring to himself as the child’s future husband and her as the mother of his children – and to have stroked the child’s leg in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.

The allegations emerged in April 2019 when a witness discovered cards from Mr Murphy which had been sent to the child who was away on a school trip.

The witness later saw a message exchange between the child and Mr Murphy and became aware the teacher had been contacting the child via social media. The messages were said to have made the child feel “extremely anxious and upset”.

Children’s social care was informed and the child was interviewed by police on November 17, 2019, but “as there was no evidence” the matter was closed – a report by the TRA said.

Mr Murphy admitted sending the messages and card but denied unacceptable professional conduct, and he denied stroking the child’s leg.

But the panel found the first two allegations of messages sent proven, and the allegation the teacher had stroked the child’s leg; although the claim about making inappropriate comments in a card to the child was not proven.

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A report published by the TRA stated: “The panel was satisfied the conduct of Mr Murphy amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.”

The panel was told Mr Murphy had a history of cocaine addiction and alcohol abuse and that a representative from the teacher’s supply agency stated an unusually high number of schools had requested he did not return to teach.

The TRA’s report said the findings of misconduct were particularly serious as they involved “inappropriate behaviour towards Child A which had, and continued to have, a harmful impact on Child A’s wellbeing”.

To read the full report click on the following link Austin Murphy TRA decision.pdf

It added that “Mr Murphy’s behaviour was harmful to Child A who was a vulnerable child”.

Alan Meyrick, making the decision on January 16 on behalf of the Secretary of State, said Mr Murphy had shown “a certain degree of insight and remorse” but he “still had a way to go in terms of fully appreciating the ongoing harmful impact that his behaviour continued to have on Child A”.

He added: “In my judgement, the lack of full insight and remorse means there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils.”

He said a prohibition order was necessary “to maintain public confidence in the profession”.

As well as the indefinite teaching ban, Mr Murphy will not be able to apply for restoration of eligibility to teach in the future.

He was, however, given 28 days to appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court.

Redhill School headteacher James Clayton told the News Mr Murphy was not directly employed by Redhill and he only worked at the school for a very short period of time. He also stressed that the supply teacher's inappropriate behaviour did not involve any children from Redhill.

He said: "At Redhill we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously.

"Our school is a safe place for all students. We expect very high standards from our staff.

"Mr Murphy was not directly employed by Redhill school. At the time when the allegations were raised, Mr Murphy was being used as short-term daily supply. 

"The inappropriate behaviour mentioned in the report did not take place at Redhill School. No Redhill pupils were involved.  

"We are very confident that our safeguarding procedures are robust, and Redhill is a safe and supportive learning environment. 

"We support the decision of the Teachers Regulations Agency to uphold standards within the profession."