UK Teacher Called in Sick to Sexually Abuse Student After Final Exams
Tom Field, a 46-year-old former teacher at Ursuline College in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, has been permanently banned from the classroom after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a pupil shortly after her final school exam.
Field, who had taught at the school for nearly two decades, took a group of students to a pub in June 2023 without permission or any safeguarding measures in place. After the outing, he deliberately dropped off the pupil he was targeting last.
In his own words, Field confessed to telling the pupil he wanted to have sex with her before she exited his car. The following day, under the guise of needing to change clothes after school, he drove her to his home.
Once inside, he led her upstairs and had sex with her. Less than a week later, Field called in sick to work and arranged to meet the pupil again. He brought her back to his home, where they watched a film and engaged in further sexual activity.
Eventually, the pupil confided in a member of staff, prompting an immediate confrontation. Field admitted to having “slept with” the pupil and resigned the next day.
A Teacher Regulation Agency panel later concluded that his actions were sexually motivated and constituted a grave abuse of trust. They noted his lack of genuine remorse and limited insight into the severity of his misconduct, warning of a potential risk of repetition.
The panel also criticized Field for taking students to a pub without authorization and for failing to implement any protective measures. In a written statement, Field expressed regret and shame for his actions.
This is a clear violation of the child’s right against all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse by persons in a position of trust.
