A FORMER teacher at a school in Cornwall has been banned from teaching for life after he admitted to having had sexual conversations online with people who told him they were under 16.

Terry Parsloe, 47, worked at Poltair School in St Austell as a fully qualified teacher via the supply agency, Teaching Personnel.

As noted in the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct panel outcome for the case, Parsloe admitted two allegations that he had, between November 27, 2020, and January 18, 2021, engaged in inappropriate communications online with individuals who informed him that they were under the age of 16; and that his conduct had been sexually motivated. 

He stopped working for Teaching Personnel on January 18, 2021, and, the following day, police executed a search warrant at his home and he also attended a voluntary police interview.

A second voluntary police interview took place on October 4, 2021, and, on July 15 2022, police confirmed that no further action would be taken against him.

Parsloe was told by the individuals that he was conversing with online that they were under the age of 16 and, despite this, he had continued to message them. He also admitted that the content of his online messages was sexual in nature.

Mr Parsloe also admitted that his electronic devices including his mobile phone and tablet were examined by the police forensics unit. 

The panel considered that in those conversations, Parsloe understood the persons had stated they were under 16 years, yet he continued to have a sexual conversation with them. The panel, therefore, found this allegation proven.

Given his admission and the explicit content of the messages, the panel considered that it was more likely than not that Parsloe’s conduct was in pursuit of sexual gratification and, therefore, found the allegation of sexual motivation proven.

It was also considered that the offences of sexual activity, voyeurism, and sexual communication with a child were relevant, with the panel noting that one of Parsloe’s messages referred to looking down a female’s top.

Despite the allegations taking place outside of an education setting, it was also found that Parsloe's conduct demonstrated a sexual interest in children and "affects the trust that can be placed in Mr Parsloe in a teaching role."

The panel's recommendations to the Secretary of State stated: "Mr Parsloe has referred to the situation having caused him stress and anxiety but has expressed no remorse, nor any insight as to the consequences for a child who received messages of the nature Mr Parsloe sent.

"Mr Parsloe has admitted the allegations but his email to the TRA referred to being 'worried because [he] did not want this matter to go to a hearing of any kind,' and sought a meeting 'so that media are not involved at all.'

"When the police exercised the search warrant at Mr Parsloe’s property, Mr Parsloe referred to 'something that is going on' and 'what is it in me' and 'it’s my own fault.' Despite this, the panel has seen no evidence of any remedial steps that Mr Parsloe ought to have taken to address his conduct."

The decision made on behalf of the Secretary of State ordered that: "Parsloe is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Parsloe shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach."

A spokesperson for Poltair School said: "We can confirm that a former member of supply staff, who has not worked at the school since January 2021, has been prohibited from teaching following a TRA panel hearing this week.

"While the matter does not directly involve pupils at the school and all appropriate checks were undertaken at the time of employment, we are clear that the actions of this individual were entirely unacceptable and completely out of line with the high standards we set.

"We take all matters seriously and will of course provide any necessary support to anyone who may need it in light of this news."