A former Theale primary school teacher who downloaded indecent images of children on his work computer has been banned from the profession for life. 

Part-time maths teacher Timothy Wilkins, 45, was called to a professional conduct hearing at the Teaching Regulation Agency on November 14, 2023, but he decided not to turn up. 

The panel, made up of three people from the teaching profession, examined evidence before deciding to ban Wilkins from teaching. 

Although invited to attend the virtual meeting, Wilkins said in an email that he ‘did not believe his attendance at the hearing would change the outcome' and 'decided not to attend'. 

According to a report that outlined the details of the hearing, the panel heard that Wilkins was arrested on June 6, 2018, after police were made aware that he was in possession of indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child on his company computer.

After admitting to committing the offense of possessing indecent images of a child, he was given a caution by police on May 20, 2020.

At the time, Wilkins had the position of a part-time maths teacher at Theale C of E Primary School and also provided a tutoring service in Maths and English for children aged 6-16.

The panel considered various factors, which deliberated whether he was found to have ‘fallen seriously short of the specific standards of his profession’ and accordingly were satisfied that Mr Wilkins was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The report said: “The panel therefore found that Mr Wilkins’ actions constituted conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.”

Although Wilkins did not attend the virtual hearing, an email was provided which was dated October 13, 2023, to be read as evidence.

The email stated: “I can only express my deep regret and sadness at what happened and known I will have to live with the consequences for the rest of my life”.

The panel noted the remorse that Mr Wilkins expressed in this email but was unable to assess further the extent of Mr Wilkins’ insight or remorse due to the lack of evidence submitted.

Following discussions about the seriousness of the misconduct, the panel was of the view that prohibition was both ‘proportionate and appropriate’.

The conclusion made by Mr David Oatley states: “Mr Timothy Wilkins is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Wilkins shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.”

The Chronicle has contacted Theale C of E Primary School for a comment.