HEAD OF MUSIC BANNED FROM TEACHING INDEFINITELY
A former Head of Music at a girls’ school has been accused of shocking misconduct after a professional panel heard allegations of years of boundary-crossing with pupils.Mr Shilling, who worked at Newlands Girls’ School until 2020, was accused of inappropriate contact with pupils both in and out of school, including private messages, gifts, and one-to-one interactions on trips.
Investigators said he blurred professional lines through social media, texts and classroom behaviour, and allegedly told pupils to keep contact secret.
The panel also heard that concerns were raised by staff and that Mr Shilling was warned about his conduct in 2019 — yet the behaviour is said to have continued.
A lengthy list of gifts and messages was examined as part of the case.
Mr Shilling admitted many of the allegations and accepted that his actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct that brought the profession into disrepute, though he denied some claims.
Mr Shilling was banned from teaching indefinitely.
