Honiton: Ex-Community College employee prohibited from teaching

A probe into the activities of the former deputy principal of Honiton College College have revealed he entered into a sexual relationship with a vulnerable young female who alleged he supported her to become a sex worker – supplying her with contraceptives, lingerie and drugs.

Andrew Holt has escaped criminal prosecution but he has been barred from teaching for five years after the decision of a review panel was upheld by the education minister's office. He had resigned from his post at the college in 2020.

The tawdry tale came to light thanks to an anonymous letter to the college in 2020 that exposed Holt's actions.

More than two years later, after extensive investigations and a hearing of the Teaching Regulation Agency's professional conduct panel, where Holt failed to appear in person, the ban has been confirmed.

The allegations originally came about in April 2020.

 A safeguarding officer from the Local Authority was informed of the alleged misconduct, but no action by them or the police was taken at this stage. 

Shortly after, on May 7, 2020, the College held a management meeting to discuss the most appropriate course of action. The allegations were put to Holt, who initially denied them. Holt later said that some of them might be true and he then resigned from his position at the college. 

He appealed to the panel not to disclose anything about his actions, the hearing or any verdict to protect his wife and family. The panel rejected that application because of the serious nature of Holt's actions and its longevity.

The accusations against Mr Holt relate to his relationship with a woman aged 20 described as 'Individual A' who he had a 'sugar daddy' relationship with after meeting on the website called 'Seeking Arrangements.

It was alleged in the hearing that Holt was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute, whilst he worked as senior vice principal at Honiton Community College between 9 January 2000 and 7 May 2020. 

Holt did not attend the hearing, which was concluded in his absence. He did not provide a substantive response to the allegations, nor did he make any admissions. He did provide a written statement, which the panel took into account.

The accusations

Mr Holt was accused of: 

a) Supplying or funding a Class A drug to Individual A, whilst he knew (or ought to have known she was vulnerable and had a dependency on the substance.

b) Engaging in a relationship with Individual A where he exchanged benefits, including money and/or controlled substances, in return for sexual activity with her. 

c) His conduct was sexually motivated

d) Encouraging or facilitating (including through the purchase of condoms and lingerie) the individual A to engage in sex work. 

The panel heard evidence, including from his victim and found points a, b and c to be proven. They concluded there was not enough evidence to prove point d. 

The panel said it did not consider Holt encouraged and/or facilitated sex work simply by not attempting to talk Individual A out of undertaking sex work, or stating "if you want to do it, that's cool". Furthermore, whilst the panel accepted that, as part of their arrangement, Holt gave Individual A money and bought her things, it did not follow that doing so meant that Holt was encouraging or facilitating sex work. Holt might not have appreciated that the money or gifts were being used for sex work.

Holt was found to have breached teacher's standards.

The report states: "The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Holt amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.

"Mr Holt's conduct amounted to both unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute."

The accused cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. This decision can be reviewed after five years. 

The full report of the hearings and the adjudication of the secretary of state can be found via this link.