A teacher drew a sketch of a vulnerable pupil and made inappropriate comments towards them, a panel has found.

Barnaby Lockyer was said to have conducted himself in an "unacceptable" manner at the Towers School in Kennington, Ashford, but has avoided an order banning him from teaching in the future.

A conduct panel assembled by the Teaching Regulation Authority heard that Mr Lockyer's behaviour was directed at a single, "vulnerable" student – referred to only as Pupil A.

A report produced by the panel says the 63-year-old joined the school in April 2019 aged 60, while working for tutoring company Winchmore Tutors.

However, just over a month later, in May 2019, the parent company was made aware of a potential safeguarding issue in relation to his conduct.

He was accused of sketching a picture of Pupil A, after making a number of comments towards them over the space of his time at the school.

These included either direct quotes or words to the effect of "your hair is nice," "you are sweet," and "has anyone told you, you are funny".

'No doubt has been cast upon his abilities as an educator...'

The report says Mr Lockyer admitted to all of the allegations, and found them to be true.

However, the panel found a separate allegation, that he had told Pupil A "has anybody told you that you’re cute”, to be false - despite him also admitting to the charge.

The report says: "Although this allegation was admitted by Mr Lockyer in the statement of agreed facts, the panel noted that Mr Lockyer had previously, and repeatedly, denied this allegation.

"The panel had concerns regarding the motivation for Mr Lockyer’s admission to this allegation."

Considering the allegations, the panel found that the now-former teacher had breached teaching standards, including "observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position."

"The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Lockyer fell significantly short of the standard of behaviour expected of a teacher," the report adds.

However, while a prohibition order – which would have banned Mr Lockyer from teaching – was considered, the panel argued that it was in the public interest for him to remain in the profession.

"No doubt had been cast upon his abilities as an educator; and the evidence presented showed Mr Lockyer to be conscientious and committed to achieving good outcomes for his students, many of whom were considered vulnerable or from difficult backgrounds," the report adds.

Sarah Buxcey, who made a decision regarding the issues on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, said that a prohibition order would not be "proportionate".

"I have given weight [...] to the contribution that Mr Lockyer has made to the profession, along with the level of insight and remorse shown," she added.

"For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is not proportionate or in the public interest.

"I consider that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession."

Towers School and Winchmore Tutors were contacted for comment.