Councils have kept under wraps how many teachers have been struck off for inappropriately contacting pupils.

Medway Council was asked to disclose the number of school teachers and teaching assistants who had been reported for having sexual or otherwise inappropriate contact with a pupil.

But the authority told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it was unable to say how many reports had been substantiated.

It also didn't reveal how many led to staff being disciplined because it says this could lead to someone being identified.

The number of teachers and teaching assistants in Medway reported for having sexual or otherwise inappropriate contact with pupils were:

• March 2017-March 2018: 15 teachers, seven teaching assistants
• April 2018- March 2019: 13 teachers, no teaching assistants
• April 2019-March 2020: Less than or equal to five teachers, no teaching assistants
• April 2020 - March 2021: Less than or equal to five teachers, less than or equal to five teaching assistants
• April 2021 - March 2022: 12 teachers, less than or equal to five teaching assistants
• April 2022 - present: Less than or equal to five teachers, less than or equal to five teaching assistants.

In the years there were less than or equal to five cases, the council did not detail how many there had been as it said publishing the information could lead to someone being identified.

The same questions were also sent to Kent County Council, but it said it wouldn't disclose any figures as they were below five per year, and could therefore lead to identification.

Medway Council's local authority designated officer (LADO) is in charge of investigations, but does not carry them out.

The officer sees all of the allegations and investigations carried out by employers and, if appropriate, the police, and this contributes to their decision making.

More information about the LADO service can be found here.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to safeguarding all children in Medway and we take all allegations of abuse and neglect of children and young people extremely seriously.

“The council’s LADO service is responsible for the oversight and co-ordination of allegations made against professionals who work with children. They oversee the relevant agency that looks into the allegation and supports employers to take the most appropriate action, which may include dismissal, to ensure children remain protected.

“Our LADO service is committed to multi-agency working and engaging with relevant organisations to ensure the safeguarding of children in Medway.”