Mr Timothy Wilkins

Introduction

Mr Timothy Wilkins was a part-time Maths teacher at Theale C of E Primary School in Berkshire and a franchisee of Company A, a tutoring service in Maths and English for children aged 6-16. In August 2017 police received intelligence that indecent images of children had been uploaded to a computer at Company A’s IP address. He was arrested on 6 June 2018, and on 20 May 2020 he admitted possessing three indecent images of a child and accepted a simple caution. In November 2023 a Teaching Regulation Agency panel, sitting in his absence, found both allegations proved: his conduct amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. On 17 November 2023, on behalf of the Secretary of State, the decision maker prohibited him from teaching indefinitely, with no review period and no entitlement to apply for restoration.

Background Information

The decision records his former employer as Theale C of E Primary School, Berkshire, alongside his franchise of Company A, a tutoring service in Maths and English for children aged 6-16. The case surfaced through police intelligence rather than a school referral: in August 2017, indecent images of children had been uploaded to a computer at Company A’s IP address. He was arrested on 6 June 2018 and released under investigation. The TRA’s notice of proceedings, dated 28 April 2023, alleged unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. No teacher documents were provided to the panel.

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation

Caution admitted, case proved in absence. Wilkins neither attended the hearing nor was represented and gave no admission or denial of the allegations; both particulars rested on the police caution he had accepted after admitting the offence.

The allegations were that, on or around 6 June 2017 to 6 June 2018, he was in possession of indecent images of a child contrary to section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and that this conduct constituted a criminal offence for which he accepted a caution on or around 20 May 2020. Wilkins provided no admission or denial of fact to the allegations. On 13 October 2023 he emailed the presenting officer that he did not believe his attendance would change the outcome and would not attend. The panel concluded his absence was voluntary, that he knew the matter would proceed, and that it was in the public interest for the hearing to take place.

On the evidence, the panel had the certificate of police caution, detailing that Wilkins had admitted possession of three indecent images contrary to section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and accepted a simple caution, issued and signed on 20 May 2020. The panel noted the regulatory advice that a police caution establishes a clear admission of guilt and, while not conclusive in the way a conviction is, carries significant weight. It also noted his statement in the police investigation crime report, accepting possession of three images found on a device seized from the boot of his car on 6 June 2018. On examination of the documents, including the certificate of caution, the panel found allegations 1 and 2 proven. It held it inconsequential when he had accessed the images: he had admitted possession, and they were on his work device.

The panel was satisfied that the conduct breached the Teachers’ Standards on upholding public trust and safeguarding pupils’ well-being, and fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. The evidence suggested the images were accessed from Company A’s IP address, where Wilkins tutored children aged 6-16, so the panel believed his conduct was intrinsically linked with his profession as a teacher. The public, it considered, would not expect an individual who had admitted to possession of indecent images to be teaching children of any age, making his conduct “incompatible with the teaching profession”. It found both unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.

Public Reaction and Consequences

The panel found a strong public interest consideration in the protection of pupils, given findings involving a caution for possession of indecent images of children, and considered that public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if such conduct were not treated with the utmost seriousness. It also found the conduct found against Wilkins was outside that which could reasonably be tolerated. On mitigation, it could not conclude that possessing multiple images meant his actions were deliberate, but found no evidence of duress, none attesting to his history or ability as a teacher, and no mitigating evidence submitted. It noted the remorse in his 13 October 2023 email — “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” — but was unable to assess further the extent of his insight or remorse for lack of evidence. Publication of findings alone, it concluded, would unacceptably compromise the public interest, and it recommended a prohibition order with immediate effect and no review period.

Current Status

On 17 November 2023 David Oatley, deciding on behalf of the Secretary of State, accepted the panel’s recommendation and prohibited Mr Timothy Wilkins from teaching indefinitely: he cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. No review period was allowed, because the serious nature of the criminal offence for which he received a caution, and the lack of evidence of full insight and or remorse, meant a review period was not sufficient to maintain public confidence. In view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved, Wilkins “shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach”. The order takes effect from the date it is served on him, with a right of appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days of notice.

Impact on Their Career/Life

Wilkins’ teaching career ended with the order, which applies for life. The panel noted that no evidence was submitted to attest to his history or ability as a teacher or any significant contribution to the education sector, and the decision maker gave less weight to his contribution to the profession for that reason. Weighing the effect of prohibition on Wilkins against the public interest, the panel concluded the public interest considerations outweighed his interests, since the nature and seriousness of his conduct made the protection of pupils and public confidence paramount. Unlike most prohibition orders, no review route exists at any point.

Sources

• Teaching Regulation Agency, “Teacher misconduct panel outcome: Mr Timothy Wilkins,” published 29 November 2023 — source