Deputy head teacher, Simon Graves, banned after sexual misconduct

A former deputy headteacher has been banned indefinitely from teaching after serious sexual misconduct towards pupils and a colleague.

Simon Graves, 52, who was also the safeguarding lead at Carlton le Willows Academy in Gedling, Nottinghamshire, was found to have abused his position of trust during his employment between 2009 and 2014.

Graves engaged in inappropriate behaviour with three female pupils and a junior staff member, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) disciplinary panel heard.

Despite being acquitted of criminal charges in 2021, the TRA panel concluded on the balance of probabilities that the allegations were true, leading to his lifetime prohibition from teaching.

Graves, who also set up the school’s girls football team, was accused of multiple incidents of sexual misconduct. In one case, he locked a junior staff member in his office and masturbated in front of her. Graves pulled her head down and ejaculated onto her hair. The woman was left “shocked and confused” by the incident.

The woman reported Graves trying to kiss her in empty corridors and waiting outside her house and car. She told the panel she would sometimes abandon her car at school and take the bus home to avoid him.

Graves sent inappropriate text messages to a 17-year-old pupil, asking her to sit on his desk so he could have sex with her and offering to pay for a taxi to take her to his home. On another occasion, he visited her at home while her parents were out, kissing her on the lips and rubbing her back as she cried.

The panel heard Graves would often drive female pupils’ home after football matches and training, during which he touched their thighs. Another student reported that he kissed her on the lips while she was alone in his office collecting football kit. A further allegation described him stroking a distressed pupil’s thigh in his office, telling her she was “hormonal”.

While Graves avoided criminal conviction, the TRA panel found Graves’ behaviour fundamentally breached the standard of conduct expected of a teacher, and he sought to exploit his position of trust.

It is important survivors are aware they should not suffer in silence and support is available.

Bolt Burdon Kemp is committed to supporting survivors of abuse in obtaining the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been affected by sexual violence, we offer free, confidential advice to help you understand your options.