A teacher who was investigated by police for potentially grooming a young student by buying her clothes and giving her hundreds of pounds has avoided being banned from the profession.

A misconduct hearing into Guy Hewett’s actions ruled that details of his actions being published online by the watchdog would be “sufficient” enough and “send a message about his behaviour”.

The history teacher taught at St Augustine Academy, formerly Astor of Hever, in Oakwood Road, Maidstone, when he was caught acting inappropriately.

But despite being warned of his actions, he took pupils out for a meal while being suspended under investigation by the school.

The panel stopped short of banning Mr Hewett from the teaching profession after hearing evidence.

Between September 2019 and February 2020, Mr Hewett gave the girl – known as Student A – hundreds of pounds in cash, bought her new clothes, messaged her repeatedly and even told her he wanted to adopt her.

A misconduct hearing held on July 18 was told how the teacher even hid money in the school car park to be found, as well as taking Student A and another person – known as Student B – out for a curry.

It was also revealed Mr Hewett’s actions took place despite him receiving a written warning from the school not to contact any students by email, message or social media.

The history teacher was employed in March 2018 but in October 2019 concerns were raised about his conduct towards Student A.

He received a warning on November 8, 2019, but just months later on January 28, 2020, further concern was raised about his actions.

On January 31, 2020, Mr Hewett was suspended by the school.

Despite this, on February 19, 2020 he took the two students out for a meal, which resulted in Student B not arriving home until the early hours of the following morning.

As a result, Mr Hewett was arrested by police, which led to a disciplinary hearing by the school a month later.

This was adjourned while information was obtained about Mr Hewett’s health and reconvened in July 2020 when he was dismissed from his post by the school.

A week later the police concluded its investigation with no further action taken and the matter was referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency by Mr Hewett’s former employers.

Documents from the hearing explained how on one occasion Student B left the school to collect a bag with £80 inside for Student A which had been hidden in the car park.

Another occasion mentioned how one day, Student A initially had no money with her in school, but then a few moments later she came back with £50.

The report added: “Student B had informed the police that this is not the first time that Student A had collected sums of money and that over the past four weeks, Student A had come into possession of £400.”

It continued, saying that Student A had told Student B that Mr Hewett was giving her money as he “feels sorry for her as he felt that she was not being cared for”.

Details from the hearing also highlighted how Mr Hewett bought Student A clothing – including Doc Marten boots and Superdry clothes – worth up to £300.

‘The publication of the findings would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable…’

Mr Hewett also admitted to buying the student a mobile phone and messaging her, often asking how she was and how she was doing.

On one occasion he told her he loved her and wanted to adopt her.

Mr Hewett insisted he did not mean love with any intent either sexual or otherwise and he only meant it in a fatherly way.

The misconduct panel heard how Mr Hewett previously had an "unblemished and lengthy career” teaching up to 2016 and colleagues described him as a “very good teacher who inspired many people” and who had “made a significant positive impact in a short period of time” at the school.

Mr Hewett’s health condition is mentioned in the report but redacted due to privacy reasons.

It was suggested by the panel whatever this condition was, there was a “clear causal link” between his health and the behaviours demonstrated.

The report states Mr Hewett accepted all the allegations against him in April 2023 and has not taught or worked with children in the four years since the TRA investigation.

Speaking about their thought process behind a decision not to ban Mr Hewett, the panel commented: “Mr Hewett had demonstrated a good level of insight and remorse into his action and… the risk of repetition was relatively low.

“The panel considered Mr Hewett’s comments throughout his oral evidence and at the time of the various investigations into his actions in terms of his immense regret and remorse and the fact that he had been honest and candid in taking full ownership and responsibility for his actions.

“The panel decided that there was a strong public interest consideration in retaining the teacher in the profession, since no doubt had been cast upon his abilities as an educator and he is able to make a valuable contribution to the profession.

“The findings of misconduct are serious, and the conduct displayed would be likely to have a negative impact on the individual’s status as a teacher, potentially damaging the public perception since Mr Hewett’s actions could have been misinterpreted. He was in fact arrested and the initial investigation centred around potential grooming.”

Decision maker Marc Cavey concluded: “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.”

St Augustine Academy has been approached for comment.