Key Points
- David Polden, 35, a former teacher at Parliament Hill School in Camden, North London, used the school’s intranet to send inappropriate messages to a pupil over five days in May 2021.
- The school discovered the conversation thread on its intranet system, leading to Polden’s arrest on 6 May 2021.
- Polden was convicted on 13 February 2023 at Wood Green Crown Court of engaging in communications with a child, contrary to section 15A(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
- On 20 April 2023, he received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, plus 100 hours of unpaid work, 35 days on an accredited programme, rehabilitation activity up to 30 days, and placement on the sex offender register for seven years.
- A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) met on 2 December 2025 and recommended a lifetime prohibition from teaching.
- Decision maker Sarah Buxcey, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, issued an indefinite ban on 5 December 2025, preventing Polden from teaching in schools, sixth form colleges, youth accommodation, or children’s homes in England.
- Polden served as agency staff at the all-girls Parliament Hill School from September 2017 to July 2018, then as a full teacher from 1 September 2018 to 20 October 2021.
- The panel noted no evidence of remorse, insight, or consideration of the impact on the pupil; it highlighted a prior warning in November 2020 against meeting pupils alone.
- Sarah Creasey, headteacher at Parliament Hill School, emphasised the school’s robust safeguarding procedures and full cooperation with police.
- The offence breached Teachers’ Standards on public trust, pupil dignity, safeguarding, and statutory duties.
North London teacher David Polden receives lifetime teaching ban after conviction for inappropriate communications with pupil via school intranet.
A former teacher at an all-girls school in Camden faces permanent exclusion from the profession due to a serious breach of trust. The Teaching Regulation Agency’s ruling highlights the critical importance of child protection in schools.
Who is David Polden and What Role Did He Hold?
David Polden, born 16 August 1990 (teacher reference number 1539885), worked as an agency teacher at Parliament Hill School in Highgate, Camden, from September 2017 to July 2018.
He later held a permanent teaching post at the same school from 1 September 2018 until 20 October 2021.
The TRA panel determined that his actions abused his position of trust, directly linked to his responsibilities in education and child welfare.
What Did the Inappropriate Messages Involve?
Parliament Hill School uncovered a conversation thread on its intranet in May 2021 between Polden and a pupil, featuring messages of an inappropriate nature.
According to the statement of agreed facts, signed by Polden on 16 January 2025, these exchanges took place over multiple occasions across five days, from 1 May to 6 May 2021.
The panel referenced court sentencing details, noting Polden’s prior warning in November 2020 against private meetings with pupils for language support.
How Was the Incident Discovered and What Followed Polden’s Arrest?
School staff identified the concerning messages via the intranet system in May 2021, triggering immediate response.
Police arrested Polden on 6 May 2021 on suspicion of the offence and interviewed him under caution; they informed the TRA the next day.
Polden admitted the conviction in his referral response, dated 31 July 2024.
What Was the Court Outcome at Wood Green Crown Court?
At Wood Green Crown Court, Polden was convicted on 13 February 2023 under section 15A(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for communications with a child.
Sentencing on 20 April 2023 (certificate dated 26 September 2024) resulted in a six-month suspended term for 24 months, sex offender registration for seven years, a £128 victim surcharge, 100 hours unpaid work, 35 days on an accredited programme, and up to 30 days rehabilitation.
The judge stated: “this case clearly crosses the custody threshold,” underscoring the offence’s seriousness despite the suspension.
Why Was a Lifetime Teaching Ban Imposed?
The TRA panel, chaired by Ms Jackie Hutchings with members Mr Nigel Shock and Ms Kelly Dooley, and legal adviser Ms Lara Small, met on 2 December 2025 without a hearing at Polden’s request.
It deemed the conviction a breach of Teachers’ Standards on ethics, boundaries, safeguarding, and legal duties, recommending indefinite prohibition due to lack of remorse or insight.
Sarah Buxcey, for the Secretary of State, confirmed on 5 December 2025:
“Mr David Polden is prohibited from teaching indefinitely… shall not be entitled to apply for restoration,”
with High Court appeal rights within 28 days.
What Did the TRA Panel Specifically Note About Polden’s Conduct?
The panel observed:
“The panel considered there was no evidence before it that Mr Polden had shown remorse or insight into his actions and there was no evidence considering the impact Mr Polden’s actions had or may have had on the child in this case.”
It further noted:
“Mr Polden’s actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and working in an education setting. The offence involved communication with a child using the School’s intranet system, which was clearly relevant to Mr Polden’s role and position of trust as a teacher.”
Additionally:
“The behaviour involved in committing the offence could have had an impact on the safety and/or security of pupils”
and risked public confidence in teaching.
How Did Parliament Hill School Respond?
As reported by MyLondon, Sarah Creasey, headteacher at Parliament Hill School, stated:
“We take safeguarding extremely seriously, so this case was deeply upsetting for our school community. The staff member’s conduct represented a serious breach of trust and professional standards. The incident was quickly identified through our robust safeguarding procedures, and we fully cooperated with the police investigation.”
The school’s prompt detection facilitated swift police action.
What Broader Implications Does This Case Highlight?
This case reinforces the need for stringent pupil safeguarding, professional integrity, and public trust in education, aligning with TRA guidance on such offences.
Despite Polden’s prior good character, as noted by the judge, and post-conviction efforts, public protection prevailed.
Coverage by MyLondon and official TRA documents emphasises accountability, ensuring no future pupil risk.
What Safeguards Prevent Similar Incidents?
Parliament Hill’s intranet monitoring exemplifies proactive measures, with TRA bans protecting children nationwide.
Teachers’ Standards mandate upholding trust and wellbeing, with agencies like TRA enforcing compliance.
