Former Whitehill Primary School and Nursery teacher in Gravesend banned from profession for life after sex offences

Former Whitehill Primary School and Nursery teacher in Gravesend banned from profession for life after sex offences

A primary school teacher who was caught talking in a “sexual nature” to someone he believed was a young girl has been banned from the profession.

Thomas Page, also known as Thomas Watson, was handed a suspended sentence for the offence in 2023 as well as three more offences of owning child abuse images.

Thomas Page worked at Whitehill Primary School and Nursery, in Sun Lane, Gravesend, for 10 years. Picture: Google
Thomas Page worked at Whitehill Primary School and Nursery, in Sun Lane, Gravesend, for 10 years. Picture: Google

The 37-year-old was arrested while working at Whitehill Primary School and Nursery in Sun Lane, Gravesend, back in 2021 and admitted the crimes while at Maidstone Crown Court.

Page, of New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, was caught after someone he was speaking to and thought was a 13-year-old was actually an undercover police officer.

After being arrested, his phone was seized and data analysis of the device found he was part of a group chat where the indecent images were downloaded.

Page was handed an eight-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years.

On Tuesday, January 7, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct hearing was held. Page didn’t attend and was unrepresented.

‘There was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils…’

During the hearing, which was chaired by panellist Ian Hylan, it was heard how Page had been working at the Gravesend school since 2011 and was suspended in 2021 when police made school bosses aware of his arrest.

They heard how he had been talking in a “sexual nature” to someone he believed was a young girl – this included graphically describing sexual acts he intended to perform on her.

It continued, adding how charges against Page related to him having 35 Category A indecent images of a child, which is the most severe, 17 Category B and 77 Category C.

As the teacher had already been convicted, there were no witnesses or evidence which needed to be called and a representative from the TRA provided the panel with a copy of the certificate of conviction.

As well as the suspended sentence, Page was placed on the sex offenders register and will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work, given 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and told to pay £600 in costs.

Thomas Page, also known as Thomas Watson, has been banned from teaching
Thomas Page, also known as Thomas Watson, has been banned from teaching

A decision on the teacher’s future was published on Wednesday, January 22, and revealed Page had been banned indefinitely from the profession and won’t be able to “apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach”.

The report added: “There was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, given the serious findings of attempted sexual communication with a child and making indecent photographs of children.”

It continued: “Mr Page did have a previously good history. The panel also noted that Mr Page pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage for which he was given credit in sentencing. He also engaged with his employer in the disciplinary process.

“However, the panel was not provided with any evidence that Mr Page had shown insight or remorse as to his actions and subsequent convictions.”

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