Teacher banned over alcohol and kissing claims

A teacher who allowed students to drink alcohol and who kissed another on her cheek has been banned from the profession indefinitely.

Matthew Edison, 35, was head of the maths department at Finborough School, an independent day and boarding school near Stowmarket, Suffolk.

According to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), during a Burns Night school dinner in January 2018 he had been drinking as well as allowing students to consume alcohol.

It said he then went on to kiss a student on her cheek, before a school investigation claimed he had also made inappropriate comments.

Mr Edison had been employed at the school since September 2016, according to the TRA report.

He admitted to having drunk prosecco, wine and whisky at the Burns Night dinner while also consuming the drinks of those on his table.

Statements from witnesses referred to him as being "drunk", while Mr Edison himself said his mind was "blank until I wake up in the morning".

Once the formal dinner ended, statements gathered outlined how students and the teacher spent time in the sixth form area with alcohol involved.

While the TRA noted there was insufficient evidence to support an allegation Mr Edison had assisted in supplying students with alcohol, he had not attempted to remove it.

"Mr Edison had passively permitted the consumption of alcohol, thus assisting in its continued supply," the report stated.

Photos taken on the night also appeared to show Mr Edison kissing the cheek of a female student, which a witness said he had admitted to during the school's investigation.

While he stated to the panel he could not confirm nor deny the allegation, as he could not remember the night, the panel found it to be proven.

Other incidents mentioned in the report that were proven included comments he made between September 2016 and April 2021.

He told one pupil they "should be a model", they were "beautiful" and his "favourite", and he regularly told her "I love you".

The report said the teacher had reflected on his actions, undertaken safeguarding training and showed "insight to the extent that he recognised that boundaries had been blurred".

Mr Edison will be able to apply for his ban to be lifted in five years.

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