A teacher at a £25,000-per-year independent school has been banned from the profession after letting pupils as young as 15 smoke and drink alcohol in his flat.
Thomas Kenwright, 32, had worked as a teacher, director of drama and deputy housemaster at Brighton College from January 2017 to December 2019.
In the latter residential role, Kenwright had supported the housemaster and housemistress in the running of one of the school’s boarding houses.
However, in November 2019 a pupil raised concerns about his behaviour towards three fellow students, a Teaching Regulation Agency disciplinary panel heard.
Kenwright admitted to inviting the three students, two aged 16 and one aged 15, to his home on several occasions between November 2018 and November 2019.
Thomas Kenwright, 32, had worked as a teacher, director of drama and deputy housemaster at Brighton College from January 2017 to December 2019. Pictured: Brighton College
It was claimed he supplied them with alcohol, cigarettes and vapes, while urging them to keep their meetings a secret.
A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency concluded his actions were ‘deliberate, repetitive and dishonest’, adding ‘there was no evidence to suggest that was acting under duress’.
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Kenwright was banned from teaching indefinitely by the panel, but he can seek to appeal the order in two years time.
In a written decision dated February 18, Sarah Buxcey said: ‘The panel finds that the conduct of Mr Kenwright fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.
‘The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a finding of failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with pupils, including allowing them to consume alcohol and smoke in Mr Kenwright’s residential flat, behaviour found to be dishonest and lacking in integrity.’
She added: ‘Thomas Kenwright is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.’
In an email provided to the panel as ‘mitigating evidence,’ Kenwright said: ‘I have absolutely loved my seven years teaching and am sad to be leaving the profession.
‘I do not have legal representation and am not part of a union and therefore have no one to support me through the process.
‘I did continually ask for training to support me in my pastoral work.
‘I wish my colleagues and students the best of luck for their futures’.
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