A former school chief executive has been banned from teaching indefinitely after making derogatory comments about parents and expressing violent wishes towards education inspectors.
Lee Hessey, who oversaw six primary schools as chief executive officer of The Forge Academy Trust in Nottinghamshire, was found by a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel to have used inappropriate and discriminatory language. The panel concluded that Hessey's behavior, spanning from September 2022 to April 2023, could undermine public confidence in the teaching profession.
During the period in question, Hessey referred to parents who complained about him as "scrotes, vermin and pond life" and a "low life," a "stupid cow," and a "bonkio parent." The panel found these messages were derogatory and potentially damaging to a person's mental health.
In a message to a colleague, Hessey wrote, "Ofsted. I hope they all go under a f****** lorry in some black ice tomorrow morning just in time for Christmas. Complete set of shitbags." The panel described this message as "wholly inappropriate," abusive, and offensive, stating it was "far removed from the standards expected of a headteacher."
Further messages included discriminatory remarks. Hessey reportedly wrote, "Buckingham Palace will be a lim city soon," a comment found to be a derogatory reference to Muslims. Another message stated, "A coloured character. Surprise, surprise." The panel also identified a reference to "Bongo Bongo land" as an offensive and racist expression directed towards black or African people. Comments made about "Tourette shoulder twitching" were perceived as mocking a disability.
Hessey became CEO of the trust on September 1, 2016. An initial complaint regarding his conduct was made in 2023. While the panel acknowledged evidence of Hessey's positive contributions and "significant improvements" in schools within deprived communities, it found no evidence he was not acting deliberately or under extreme duress. The panel emphasized that as the most senior person, Hessey was expected to set the standard, regardless of the culture within his messaging group.
A senior TRA official, acting on behalf of the Education Secretary, ultimately issued the prohibition order, deeming it proportionate and in the public interest. Hessey is now banned from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children's home in England.