WATTON TEACHER BANNED FROM TEACHING AFTER SEX WITH PUPIL
A former teacher has been permanently banned from teaching after having sex with a pupil.Anton Harder, 37, who worked at Wayland Academy, in Watton, from September 2011, was prohibited from teaching indefinitely following a decision by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).
Mr Harder was convicted at Norwich Crown Court in February 2023 of four counts of sexual activity with a child aged between 13 and 17, involving an abuse of a position of trust.
He was sentenced in April that year to 16 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration requirements for ten years.
The offences related to a sexual relationship with a pupil at the Academy.
A police summary given to the panel stated that a report had been received on September 20, 2021, from the pupil that she had been having a sexual relationship with her teacher, Mr Harder.
The victim had said that while attending the Academy, she had been referred to the safeguarding team - specifically Mr Harder.
She stated he instigated the swapping of personal email addresses and private communications started between them, with Mr Harder emailing her first.
She said that when she was 16 years old she performed oral sex on Mr Harder and had sexual intercourse with him.
She alleged that this progressed to them having sexual intercourse on a regular basis with one another at his family home and on one occasion, at her family home.
The principal of the Academy was informed on September 21, 2021, that Norfolk Police had received a complaint regarding an alleged sexual relationship between Mr Harder and the student.
Mr Harder was arrested on September 23, 2021, and referred to the TRA on April 11, 2023.
The TRA panel met virtually last month and at Mr Harder’s request, and its agreement, the case was considered without a public hearing.
He admitted the allegations and signed a statement of agreed facts.
The meeting took place in private and did not require attendance from Mr Harder.
During the hearing, the panel also saw evidence that showed Mr Harder was previously investigated following an alleged incident on May 15, 2019, when it was alleged a student had witnessed him hugging a pupil.
It was found that this was a “minor lapse from acceptable standards of conduct” and Mr Harder was issued with written advice as to what he should have done, and what he should do in those circumstances in the future.
It was noted that the incident did not meet the threshold for a referral to the local authority designated officer or for a ‘standards setting’ letter.
In its findings, the panel said it was satisfied that the criminal conviction amounted to a “relevant offence” under teaching misconduct rules.
It found his conduct represented a serious breach of the Teachers’ Standards and concluded his actions had the potential to cause significant harm while undermining confidence in teachers more widely.
The panel also noted that Mr Harder had attended safeguarding lead training during his time at the school and held a role that involved responsibility for pupil welfare.
The report said this made the abuse of trust particularly serious.
“There was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils,” the panel stated, adding that failing to take firm action could seriously weaken public confidence in teachers.
And while the panel acknowledged that Mr Harder had admitted the offences and accepted that a ban was appropriate, it noted that there was little evidence of insight or remorse beyond his guilty plea.
No character references or testimonials were submitted on his behalf.
The panel also reviewed whether Mr Harder should be allowed to apply for a review of the ban after a set period.
Under current guidance, prohibition orders are normally lifelong, but in some cases a review can be permitted after at least two years.
In this case, the panel concluded that a review period would not be appropriate.
It cited the seriousness of the sexual offences, the involvement of a child and the lack of evidence that Mr Harder had been rehabilitated or no longer posed a risk.
The Secretary of State’s decision-maker, Marc Cavey, agreed with the panel’s recommendations in full.
In a written decision, he said the misconduct was “particularly serious” and that a prohibition order was necessary to protect children and maintain confidence in the profession.
He added that the absence of clear evidence of insight or remorse meant there remained a risk of repetition, which further justified a permanent ban.
As a result, Mr Harder is now prohibited from teaching indefinitely and is barred from working in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
He is not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
The prohibition order takes effect immediately.
Mr Harder has the right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days of being notified of the decision.
