A “father figure” teacher who sexually abused students has been banned from teaching.

Christopher Charlton, now aged 65, has been permanently banned from teaching in England following five of his former students giving evidence to a Teaching Regulation Agency panel regarding sexual abuse he inflicted on them between 1986 to 1993.

A police investigation was initiated after multiple students reported Charlton for sexual assault, however the Police chose not to pursue the allegations. The panel did however confirm all allegations except from one student due to inconsistencies in her evidence.

Charlton was a maths and PE teacher at Greenwood Boarding School for Girls in Halstead, Essex.

One student recalled years of abuse from Charlton, which started with him rubbing against her and lying on top of her on the grass. She also said Charlton was viewed as a “father figure” at the school. Another student recalled Charlton telling her she was a “little minx sent by the devil to tempt him away from his wife” after encouraging her to touch his penis.

The school has since closed in 1999.

How could Jordans Solicitors assist?

In cases such as these, we may be able to bring a claim against the Local Authority responsible for the school. Because Charlton was an employee of the school, in law the Local Authority could be held accountable for his actions because the Local Authority was responsible for the school. We would write to the Local Authority setting out the survivors’’ allegations and seeking compensation.