GUY ROGERS FROM TROWBRIDGE BANNED FOR INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL DISCUSSIONS WITH STUDENTS AT STONAR SCHOOL
In January 2018, a serious misconduct case involving Guy Rogers, a guitar instructor from Trowbridge, came to light, revealing troubling behavior towards students at Stonar School in Atworth.Rogers, aged 45, had been employed at the school for a decade when allegations surfaced that he engaged in inappropriate conversations about sexual matters with two female pupils.
According to reports, the two students, who had solo and occasional joint lessons with Rogers, reported that he had discussed his sexual history, preferences, and even his use of sex toys.
These disclosures occurred during lessons, prompting the students to seek help after another pupil overheard their conversations and encouraged them to report the teacher.
Despite police interviews, no criminal charges were filed against Rogers at that time.
It is also understood that Rogers had taught guitar at other educational institutions across west Wiltshire, raising concerns about the extent of his inappropriate conduct.
Following the complaints, a series of disciplinary hearings took place in 2017, culminating in a professional conduct panel’s review published in December of that year.
The panel examined 18 allegations against Rogers and found 13 to be substantiated.
These included him sharing details of his sexual experiences, discussing his ownership and use of sex toys, and asking students about their own sexual experiences and attractions.
The panel also noted that Rogers made inappropriate comments about people's sexuality, including statements suggesting that men prefer women who are lesbians or bisexual, and even told one pupil she should lose her virginity by a certain age.
He asked students whether they found him attractive and if they would consider dating him, and encouraged them to feel his biceps and stomach muscles.
Additionally, Rogers made racist remarks, discussed his personal life—including his marriage, divorce, depression, and financial difficulties—and talked about selling his house.
While the panel cleared him of five other allegations, such as revealing his number of sexual partners, calling students endearing nicknames like 'babe' or 'baby,' seeking their personal phone numbers, making inappropriate jokes, or offering them his antidepressant medication, the overall findings painted a troubling picture of his conduct.
The report highlighted that Rogers’s lessons exhibited a degree of informality that blurred professional boundaries.
During police interviews, Rogers himself acknowledged that he was aware of his attractiveness, claiming that students would see him as attractive and comparing himself to Brad Pitt, which the panel considered indicative of his inappropriate attitude.
Rogers denied that his behavior was unacceptable, claiming that the allegations made by the two girls were malicious and manipulative.
Witnesses confirmed that neither girl had previously made allegations against other teachers, and both had maintained exemplary records.
The National College of Training and Leadership concluded that Rogers had lost sight of his professional responsibilities, allowing boundaries to become dangerously blurred.
The panel determined that his conduct breached the Teachers’ Standards and constituted serious misconduct, falling well below the expected professional standards.
It was noted that Rogers’s behavior was foolish and ill-judged, with some evidence suggesting manipulative tendencies aimed at impressing the students, which ultimately made them uncomfortable.
Described as a 'cool' individual and a musician who played in bands, Rogers’s role as a peripatetic teacher may have contributed to his lack of understanding of appropriate conduct.
On behalf of the Secretary of State, Dawn Dandy announced that Guy Rogers was prohibited from teaching indefinitely.
He is barred from working in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home across England.
Although he can apply to have the prohibition lifted, this cannot be considered before January 10, 2021.
Stonar School’s headteacher, Dr.
Sally Divall, emphasized the institution’s commitment to safeguarding.
She stated, 'Stonar takes all aspects of safeguarding very seriously, is fully compliant with regulations, and acts on any concerns immediately.
When the incidents came to light, all protocols were followed swiftly and to the letter, and we suspended the teacher immediately.
We have supported the pupils affected throughout the process, and we are relieved that it has now been satisfactorily concluded.'
