Thomas Marriott, 39, can no longer teach after admitting to sex offences

A private school teacher who had a sexual relationship with his pupil has been banned from the classroom for life.

Paedophile Thomas Marriott was working as a history teacher and rowing coach when he embarked on the sordid relationship with a student.

The 39-year-old carried out sex acts with her on school grounds and even told her to ‘keep the relationship a secret’.

A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel has now said that he breached teaching standards and his actions amounted to misconduct.

The panel heard how Marriott was working at St Peter’s School – a private school in York – between September 2007 and August 2011.

He ‘became close’ to a female pupil, with an ‘inappropriate relationship’ developing and becoming ‘fully sexual in nature’ while she was at the school.

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The matter was reported to police in November 2021, by which time Marriott was working as deputy headteacher at Princethorpe College, near Rugby.

He worked at the private Catholic school in Warwickshire from September 2021 before leaving three months later.

A report from the panel read: “The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offences occurred in the school environment and involved a pupil whom Marriott was teaching at the time.”

Marriott admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child by a person of trust at York Crown Court in April 2023.

He was handed a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement and unpaid work.

The defendant – who lived in Powys, Wales, at the time of his sentencing – was also told to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Marriott’s victim suffered ‘significant long-term harm’ due to his offending, the panel heard.

The report read: “The panel considered that there was an imbalance of power given the teacher pupil relationship which existed at the time that the relationship started.”

It added: “The panel noted the impact which the offences had had on the pupil and was of the view that Marriott’s conduct could have had an impact on the safety of pupils and/or members of the public.

“The panel also took account of the way the teaching profession is viewed by others.

“The panel considered that Marriott’s behaviour in committing the offence would affect public confidence in the teaching profession, given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.

“The panel was of the view that members of the public would be shocked to learn that Marriott had engaged in sexual activity with a pupil and that this had occurred on multiple occasions on the school’s premises.”

Marriott had a ‘good record as a teacher in the years’ after his offending and there was ‘no indication’ that he ‘had repeated his conduct’ since then.

Former pupils penned statements mentioning his ‘positive impact on them as a teacher’, while ex-colleagues ‘attested to his good work as a teacher since the time that these incidents’ occurred.

Marriott claimed he had not ‘understood that his conduct was illegal’ because he was ‘recruited into the school straight from university without a PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification’.

But he accepted ‘full responsibility’ for his sex offences, with the report adding: “The panel also read Marriott’s detailed response and reflection in which he had accepted that his conduct was wrong and expressed remorse.”

At a hearing in January, Marriott was made subject to a prohibition order.

It means he is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

A St Peter’s School spokesperson told the BBC at the time: “The safeguarding of our pupils is of paramount importance to us and we will always continue to review and scrutinise our processes.

“All of our staff receive rigorous training, and we work closely with statutory and advisory bodies to ensure that our approaches are thorough and up to date.

“On behalf of St Peter’s School, we repeat our full and unreserved apology to Marriott’s victim for their suffering while a pupil at St Peter’s.

“We offer any support they need and hope that this sentencing will bring them the justice they deserve.”