A teacher from a school in Bracknell has been banned from teaching indefinitely after he admitted to being involved in a sexual relationship with a pupil.
Matthew Whale worked as a PE teacher at Easthamstead Park Community School in Bracknell from January 2001 until he was suspended in November 2007 due to allegations of misconduct. Whale then resigned as a teacher at the school in January 2008.
In September 2023, he confessed to being involved in a sexual relationship with a pupil, referred to as Pupil A, from 2001 to 2003.
Mr Whale also admitted to treating the student more favourably, collecting her from school in his car and exchanging personal phone numbers.
In March 2025, the Teaching Regulation Agency had found that ‘no criminal offences were committed’ by Mr Whale, but that he was guilty of serious professional misconduct.
The TRA found that he had told Pupil A that he ‘loved her’ and took her on days out to cinemas, restaurants and theme parks.
The panel found that he did not inform the school because he knew the relationship was ‘inappropriate’ and would lead to disciplinary proceedings.
Mr Whale said: “I am also a very different person from the immature individual that encouraged, facilitated and allowed this situation to occur.
He also added that he ‘will always be sorry for the upset, impact and personal detriment.’
A spokesperson for King’s Group Academies, of which King’s Academy Easthampstead Park is now a part, said: “This follows a historical matter which pre-dates the school joining the trust.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of our students is paramount, and we condemn any misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.
“We follow strict and robust safeguarding measures and are supportive of the outcomes which reflect the seriousness of the allegations found proved.”
