A STEWARDS Academy teacher will be allowed to continue teaching after an incident in which the PE teacher dragged a pupil by the wrist across a changing room floor.

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) heard the case which referred to an incident in September 2022.

It was alleged that Charlotte Venables was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and/or
conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute in that whilst working as a sports
teacher at Stewards Academy:

1. On or around 6 September 2022, you used inappropriate and/or excessive force in
   that you:
   a) Pulled Child A’s ankle and/or foot off the side of a bench and onto the floor;
   b) Pulled Child A by the wrist and/or right arm;
   c) Dragged Child A across the floor and/or out of the changing room; and/or
   d) Pushed Child C out of the changing room.
2. On or around 6 September 2022, you did not report the incidents at paragraph one
   above to:
   a) the Academy’s Designated Safeguarding Lead;
   b) and/or the Headteacher;
   c) and/or record the incident.

Case Timeline

On 6 September 2022, during a year 8 PE lesson, Ms Venables allegedly pulled Child A’s ankle/foot off a bench whilst she was tying her shoelaces, causing Child A to fall to the floor. She also allegedly grabbed Child A by her wrist and dragged her across the changing room floor, and out into the corridor. During the same incident, Child C reported being pushed out of the changing room.

On the same day, at around 5pm Child A’s parent attended the School and reported the incident to assistant headteacher Individual A.

Between 7 and 9 September 2022, the preliminary fact-finding took place, during which Ms Venables denied using force on Child A. The School gathered initial student accounts, including statements from Child A, Child B, and Child C.

On 21 September 2022, Ms Venables was formally suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation and invited to a formal investigatory meeting.

On 17 November 2022, the disciplinary investigation concluded, and the completed investigation report was submitted to the headteacher.

On 9 March 2023, parent of Child A reported the allegations to the TRA.

On 2 May 2023, the matter was formally referred to the TRA.

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Panel Findings

The panel noted that Ms Venables expressed deep regret and remorse for her actions, and that it was entirely out of character, she had not acted in this manner before and has not since the incident. Ms Venables explained that in the lead up to the incident she had been under immense personal strain which the School was not aware of.

The panel noted that it was not disputed that save for this incident, Ms Venables had an
unblemished record.

A number of character references in respect of Ms Venables were include in the report (see attached).

The panel ruled against a prohibition order for Ms Venables, noting this was a “genuinely exceptional case”, where her remediation was “exceptional” and she had shown a “deep level” of remorse.

The report, signed by decision maker Stuart Blomfield, stated: “She clearly understood and appreciated what she did and why it was inappropriate.

“There had been no repetition of the behaviour following the incident for a sustained period and no evidence of a long-term attitudinal risk, so the panel was satisfied there is minimal risk of repetition.

“The panel decided that there was a public interest consideration in retaining the teacher in the profession, since no doubt had been cast upon her abilities as an educator or her ability to make a valuable contribution to the profession.

“The panel heard evidence of Ms Venables’ good character and continued dedication to the profession, which the panel agreed was exceptional.”

The school has issued reassurances to parents that the incident was fully investigated and that safeguarding processes continue to be a priority since the school became part of the Passmores Cooperative Learning Community trust two years ago.

A spokesperson for Stewards Academy said: “Stewards Academy acknowledges and accepts the findings of the TRA, having participated fully in the process regarding this incident in 2022.

“The setting and meeting of the highest standards of professionalism for all our staff is core to the improvements we continue to make since the school became part of the PCLC trust and appointed a new headteacher in 2024.”

The full report can be found below.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69cbc3a0b5ac47b0874f3f60/TRATMPO_Charlotte_Venables_conduct_panel_outcome.pdf