David Goodwin

Introduction

David Goodwin is a former teacher at Furness Academy in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where he taught humanities from September 2010 until 2021. In April 2021 he exchanged sexually explicit messages with an undercover police officer purporting to be a twelve-year-old girl, and later that year he was convicted at Preston Crown Court of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child under 13 to watch a sexual act. He received suspended prison sentences, a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and a ten-year place on the Sex Offender Register. In January 2023 a Teaching Regulation Agency panel found the allegations proved, and on 10 January 2023 the Secretary of State’s decision maker prohibited Goodwin from teaching indefinitely, with no entitlement to apply for restoration.

Background Information

Goodwin had been employed at Furness Academy since 1 September 2010, first as a supply teacher during his NQT induction period, and later as a teacher of humanities. His record was previously unblemished: the headteacher confirmed there were no file notes concerning his conduct, behaviour or attitude, and no past disciplinary action or complaints. On 21 April 2021 he was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child, and the case moved from criminal proceedings to the Teaching Regulation Agency, whose professional conduct panel convened on 6 January 2023 by virtual means to consider allegations set out in a notice of meeting dated 8 December 2022.

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation

Adjudicated, not alleged. Goodwin’s convictions are matters of Crown Court record; he admitted the facts before the panel in a signed statement. The “child” he communicated with was an undercover police officer, so no child was physically present — the panel still found the offending gravely serious.

Between 13 and 19 April 2021, Goodwin exchanged sexually explicit messages with an undercover police officer who was purporting to be a twelve-year-old girl. It was alleged that he was guilty of having been convicted of a relevant offence on 22 October 2021 at Preston Crown Court on two counts: attempting/engaging in sexual communication with a child, and attempting/causing a child under 13 to watch a sexual act, both relating to that week in April. Goodwin admitted both the facts of the allegation and that he was guilty of having been convicted of a relevant offence, signing a statement of agreed facts. The panel saw a signed certificate of conviction confirming his guilty pleas, and a police national computer printout confirming the convictions.

The presenting officer invited the panel to amend the conviction date in the allegation from 15 December 2021 to 22 October 2021, which the panel accepted as a typographical correction needed to match the certificate of conviction; 15 December 2021 was in fact the sentencing date. The panel accepted the certificate as conclusive proof of both convictions and the facts necessarily implied by them, and found the facts of the allegations proven. The decision records that there were no messages sent by Goodwin suggesting an attempt to arrange a meeting in person. The panel noted his behaviour would have been likely to affect the safety of members of the public had the individual been a twelve-year-old girl, and that his actions were relevant to teaching and working with children given the register and order imposed.

Public Reaction and Consequences

On 22 April 2021, the day after his arrest, Goodwin was suspended from his duties at Furness Academy. He tendered his resignation on 17 May 2021, taking effect on 31 May 2021. Sentencing at Preston Crown Court followed on 15 December 2021: eighteen months imprisonment suspended for 24 months for the first offence and nine months suspended for 24 months (concurrent) for the second, each with up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity and an appropriate programme, plus a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, 10 years on the Sex Offender Register and a £156 statutory surcharge. The panel found the convictions amounted to a relevant offence, noting the suspended imprisonment “was indicative of the seriousness of the offences committed”.

The panel, chaired by Mrs Oluremi Alabi, found his conduct breached the Teachers’ Standards and was fundamentally incompatible with teaching. It noted that “The insight and level of remorse exhibited by Mr Goodwin was not sufficient for the panel to be assured that there was no risk of repetition. No independent evidence had been adduced that would provide assurance to the panel regarding that risk.” It recommended a prohibition order with immediate effect, with no review period.

Current Status

Decision maker Sarah Buxcey, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, decided on 10 January 2023 that a prohibition order was proportionate and in the public interest. She concluded that “allowing for no review period is necessary to maintain public confidence”, citing the seriousness of the findings and the lack of full insight. Goodwin is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. Given the seriousness of the allegations found proved, she also decided that Goodwin shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach. The order takes effect from the date it is served, with a right of appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days.

Impact on Their Career/Life

Goodwin’s teaching career, which had spanned more than a decade at a single school without prior disciplinary action, ended with his 2021 resignation, and the prohibition order closes teaching in England to him permanently with no route back through restoration. Beyond the classroom, he must comply with a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and remains on the Sex Offender Register for ten years. The panel noted he had taken remedial courses but that no independent evidence of their outcome was adduced, and it recorded no public response from Goodwin beyond his signed admissions and his account of social media dependence as escapism.

Sources

• TRA, “Teacher misconduct panel outcome: Mr David Goodwin” — source