FORMER TEACHER SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE AND ABUSE
Following news that families of St Crispin’s Infant School in Westgate have been contacted after it was discovered a former staff member has recent, serious convictions including “those of a sexual nature relating to children” police have confirmed a man has been charged and is due to be sentenced.Reports of child sexual abuse and physical abuse were made to Kent Police on 15 September 2022.
Officers arrested a man in Tivoli Park Avenue, Margate the following day.
On 13 February 2025, Mark Slade, aged 57, of Buckingham Road, Margate, was charged with gross indecency with a child, making an indecent photograph of a child, unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, child rape and child cruelty.
He was found guilty on 30 January 2026 following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
(Update) He has been bailed to attend court on 13th March for sentencing.
Families have been assured by the Stour Academy Trust that the convictions are not related to any former or current pupils at St Crispin’s.
Slade worked at the school from November 2020 and was on site until September 2022.
A Stour Academy Trust spokesperson said: “We are aware of the recent convictions in relation to a former member of staff at St Crispin’s CP Infant School prior to joining the Trust.
“This individual has never been an employee of the Trust with St Crispin’s being a maintained Kent County Council School until it joined the Trust in December 2025.
“We have fully cooperated with Kent Police, who have confirmed that the convictions are not related to any children of St Crispin’s or this individual’s employment at the school.
“The Trust has taken decisive action to support the school and has immediately referred the individual to the relevant teaching authorities.
“The safeguarding and wellbeing of children is our top priority, and the Trust has rigorous processes in place that not only meet but exceed statutory requirements.
“We are committed to upholding the highest standards for all our schools, pupils, staff and communities.” Slade was also formerly on the staff at the then- Dame Janet Junior school in Ramsgate for 10 years (under Kent County Council prior to becoming an academy in 2012) and Northdown primary in the 1990s under KCC, prior to the Kemnal Academies Trust taking over the responsibility of the school.
