PARENTS have received a statement from the Trust that runs a borough primary school after shocking information about a teacher who was convicted of child sex offences came to light at a meeting of the Teaching Regulation Agency's professional conduct panel.

Michael Fogg, 31, from London was a teacher at Deneholm Primary School in Stifford Clays. On 7 July 2020, Fogg was arrested on suspicion of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children and admitted he was guilty of six offences of making and distributing indecent images of children when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court last February.

The offences were two counts of distributing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, three counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, and one offence of possessing extreme pornographic images.

In May last year he was sentenced to six months imprisonment which was suspended for 18 months, a 30 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, 150 hours unpaid work and a seven year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

His conviction for offences, which he acknowledged were 'disgusting' and for which he expressed remorse, brought him before the panel – which met in private.

The results of the conduct hearing, published by the Secretary of State yesterday (Wednesday, 31 May) say Fogg's activities "fell short of the expected standard for teachers which is to 'uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school'."

Fogg wrote a letter to the panel saying he recognised all the offences and stated that "just to say sorry does not come close to explaining the feeling of remorse and regret I feel and I would do anything to rewind time and take everything back."

The full report of the panel's findings can be read via this link.

Essex Police became alerted to Fogg's activities in 2020 when they were advised that the internet connection at Fogg's address was responsible for the upload of indecent images of children to an internet chatroom.

Parents in Grays whose children attended Deneholm at the time say that there were numerous complaints made to the school, prior to Fogg's arrest, with concerns about his behaviour towards children. They say that no action was taken and that the school did not investigate.

Today Peter Melville, Chief Operating Officer at the South West Essex Community Education Trust, which runs Deneholm, said a statement has been prepared and issued to parents.

It reads: "We were made aware of Michael Fogg's arrest in July 2020. We immediately suspended him and worked closely with the police and the local authority.

"At the time of his arrest and suspension from work, he had already resigned from his employment with us. He did not return to the school site and none of the charges brought against him related to his conduct at the school or to children at the school.

 "In line with national legal requirements, every member of staff is subject to rigorous enhanced safeguarding and background checks prior to their employment. Safeguarding remains our highest priority, and all reports no matter how small are dealt with robustly."