SURREY TEACHER RUSSELL MONK BANNED AFTER SEX ALLEGATIONS AND EVEN THOUGH HE WAS CLEARED IN COURT

In September 2018, a former Surrey teacher, Russell Andrew Monk, aged 39, was officially banned from the teaching profession despite being acquitted of child sex assault charges two years earlier. Monk, who was employed at the independent Box Hill School in Dorking, Surrey, was found not guilty on eight counts after two trials at Guildford Crown Court. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) subsequently imposed a ban on him from teaching.

While the BBC was unable to locate Monk, Box Hill School confirmed that he was dismissed for breaching safeguarding procedures. At the time of the allegations, Monk resided in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. In 2015, he faced trial accused of eight counts of sexually assaulting a boy under 13. He was acquitted of six charges and, following a retrial in 2016, was also cleared of the remaining two charges.

The TRA considered claims that Monk had touched pupils inappropriately during school trips and camping activities on school grounds. These allegations were denied by Monk, who was not present or represented at the TRA hearing. Monk, who served as the school's director of outdoor education, was responsible for organizing expeditions such as annual trips to the New Forest, as well as activities like camping, adventure nights, and “Fright Night,” according to reports.

The panel reviewing the case determined that four allegations of groping pupils were proven, while one could not be substantiated. As a result, Monk was barred from teaching indefinitely but was given a 28-day window to appeal the decision.

Box Hill School issued a statement stating: “We have been made aware of Mr Monk’s disqualification from teaching. This follows our own internal investigation, which found that he had breached safeguarding procedures, leading to his dismissal. Mr Monk has not taught at Box Hill School since 2013, when he was immediately suspended following an allegation about his conduct.” The school also emphasized that they had cooperated fully with relevant authorities throughout the process.