A photography teacher has been banned from the profession indefinitely after failing to disclose to his employer that his fiancé had been convicted of ten sex offenses against young boys. Thomas Ridgway, 31, was struck off by a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel following his failure to reveal his partner Matthew Linfield's criminal record and subsequent placement on the sex offender register.
Ridgway, who worked at the £56,000-a-year independent girls' school Heathfield in Ascot, Berkshire, was suspended in January 2024 and resigned the following month. The school became aware of Linfield's convictions after an email from a member of the public containing a link to a news article about his sentencing.
Linfield was convicted in June 2023 of ten offenses involving sexual activity with boys, including offering money for sexual favors and sending indecent images. He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison in December 2023 and placed on the sex offender register for life.
Disclosure Lapses
The TRA panel found that Ridgway knew of Linfield's conviction and sentence by December 6, 2023, and failed to disclose this information to Heathfield School. The panel also concluded that Ridgway was aware of the full circumstances of the offenses, including that they involved sexual offenses against children, by sometime after December 6, 2023, and again did not disclose these details.
Ridgway, who began working at Heathfield in 2019, did not provide evidence at the tribunal. He had claimed he was not aware of the full extent of the allegations and that he relied on information provided by Linfield and his solicitor. Ridgway stated that he believed Linfield's conviction occurred on the sentencing date and that he was not present or informed of the specifics until after the fact.
However, the tribunal ruled that while Ridgway did not make a deliberate decision to conceal the matters, his actions lacked integrity. The panel noted his naivety and stated that he appeared to be led by Brian Linfield, believed to be a relative of Matthew Linfield. Despite not finding Ridgway's conduct to be dishonest, the panel determined that his failure to disclose was a serious lapse.
The tribunal emphasized that Linfield's conviction and sentence were materially relevant to the school, carrying significant reputational implications and requiring risk assessment. Ridgway had an opportunity to disclose the information between December 6 and December 15, 2023, the end of the school term, but did not do so immediately.
Professional Obligations
The panel concluded that Ridgway's actions demonstrated a disregard for his duties and responsibilities as a teacher. The school's code of conduct and Ridgway's professional obligations were clear, and his deference to Mr. Linfield was seen as a dereliction of his own duty.
Ridgway has the right to appeal the decision to the High Court within 28 days or can apply for the prohibition to be lifted in August 2028. There is no suggestion that Ridgway was accused of any crime himself.
