Islington Teacher Avoids Teaching Ban After Snapchat Messages to Pupils
John Taylor admitted sending inappropriate messages to former students but will keep his teaching licence
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No named source on the record; central claim attributed to TRA only.
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Headline uses loaded adjectives ('stupidly') not substantiated in body.
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A teacher who sent inappropriate messages to former pupils on Snapchat will not be banned from the profession. John Taylor, previously joint head of sixth form at City of London Academy Islington, admitted breaching professional boundaries after contacting two teenage girls in August 2023.
Taylor added one pupil on Snapchat and sent messages including: "Added you on snap. Probably shouldn’t but … 😊". He later asked another girl if she had a boyfriend and said it "would be lovely to see you again". MyLondon reported the exchanges.
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Panel Finds No Safeguarding Risk
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) investigated after the messages came to light. A misconduct panel concluded Taylor’s actions "crossed the professional boundaries expected of a teacher". MyLondon stated the panel found his wording implied he knew his behaviour was questionable.
Taylor told the panel he had not deliberately kept the pupils’ phone numbers after a summer language programme for French teenagers. He accepted his conduct was "inappropriate" and "stupid". The TRA reported his defence.
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Despite the findings, the panel decided against a prohibition order, which would have barred Taylor from teaching. MyLondon reported the panel ruled there was no safeguarding risk because the messages were not sexual, did not involve grooming, and occurred after the educational programme ended.
“I liked getting your photos but deleted them by accident.”
John Taylor, former teacher
Employer Backed Taylor at Hearing
Taylor’s current employer, the headmaster of a boys’ prep school, attended the hearing. The headmaster wrote to the TRA, calling Taylor’s potential ban a "huge loss" to education. MyLondon reported the letter supported Taylor’s professional judgement.
The panel noted Taylor’s 20-year career and described the incident as "out of character". It found him "genuinely remorseful" and judged the risk of repetition to be low. MyLondon stated the panel concluded a prohibition order was not in the public interest.
What Happens Next
Taylor remains eligible to teach in maintained schools and other educational settings in England. The TRA has not disclosed whether further monitoring will take place. It is unclear if the pupils involved or their families were informed of the panel’s decision.
Questions this report answers
+Will the teacher face any restrictions on his teaching licence?
No, John Taylor will not face any restrictions on his teaching licence. The Teaching Regulation Agency ruled that a prohibition order was not in the public interest, despite finding his conduct breached professional boundaries. He remains eligible to teach in maintained schools and other educational settings in England.
+What did the teacher say about his actions?
John Taylor admitted his actions were 'inappropriate' and 'stupid' during the hearing. He also claimed he had not deliberately kept the pupils’ contact details after a summer language programme. The panel noted he was 'genuinely remorseful' about the incident.
+Did the teacher’s employer support him during the hearing?
Yes, Taylor’s current employer, the headmaster of a boys’ prep school, attended the hearing and wrote to the Teaching Regulation Agency. The headmaster argued that banning Taylor would be a 'huge loss' to education and supported his professional judgement.
+Were there any safeguarding concerns raised about the teacher?
No, the misconduct panel found there were no safeguarding risks. They ruled that the messages were not sexual, did not involve grooming, and occurred after the educational programme ended. The panel concluded the risk of repetition was low.
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