Former Litcham School physics teacher Matthew Chown banned from teaching after sending large number of sexualised emails to female student

A former physics teacher is no longer allowed to work in the profession after he sent a large number of sexualised emails to a female student.

Matthew Chown, who previously taught physics at Litcham School, has been banned from teaching indefinitely after he sent an “intense” amount of messages to a pupil over the course of a year.

The 34-year-old signed a statement of agreed facts back in October in which he admitted several allegations dating from November 2022 to November 2023.

A report published following a professional conduct panel meeting states that Mr Chown used sexual innuendos when emailing a female student, referring to a “late-evening blowing” as well as an “extra-curricular blowing”.

The teacher would drive past the same student’s house on average twice a week on his way to fill up his car and had told her he contemplated posting documentation through her door.

Mr Chown had worked at the school since July 2019 and was promoted to second in science in September 1, 2020, as well as being a form tutor for a Year 11 class.

More emails between the two on October 24, 2023 talked about Mr Chown keeping the girl hostage, saying: “Again, you’ve written down that you’re not leaving so I think at this point I have grounds to abduct you and hold you hostage if you try and leave.”

The next day, he added: “I’ll keep you hostage for at least until June and July after exams, might let you get surgery though,” and on October 26, 2023, he continued the topic by saying: “I think a prearranged hostage situation is my most favourable hostage situation...

“I appreciate your dedication to making it less stressful for me, my previous ones involved handcuffs, black bags to go over people’s heads, I had to get a separate getaway driver, they were a nightmare!”

The pair would discuss a range of topics including how “depressed” he would be when the student left as well as running away together and him following her to college and university.

Often emails would come through from the teacher late at night, early in the morning, at weekends and during school holidays - sometimes in quick succession.

The panel agreed that his misconduct negatively impacted the well-being of the student.

Other topics in the emails included growing old together, stating that he and the girl would have another 50 years of “this”, referring to their communication.

Mr Chown also admitted having inappropriate interactions with other students at the school, including one with whom he had conversations about “canoodling” and using the word “sheep” in place of expletives.

He emailed the student: “Obviously, the next few weeks if you ever need somewhere to lose some or all of those sheep you’re always welcome to use my office.”

It was also heard that he had gifted students items such as pens with swear words emblazoned on them including “Thunder C*nt Thursday”, “F*ck off it’s Friday” and “Suck a D*ck Sunday”.

After concerns were raised by pupils, parents and staff in late 2023, Mr Chown was suspended and a formal investigation was started on November 13.

A Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) referral was made the same day and a meeting was held, with the police alerted to the concerns raised.

On December 13, 2023, these were taken forward to a disciplinary hearing, which took place on January 10, 2024 - on which date he ceased working at the school.

On January 26, 2024, the police recommended that no further action be taken.

Mr Chown admitted that his actions had amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and the Teaching Regulation Agency’s professional conduct panel met to consider his career on February 27.

The panel said that Mr Chown “appeared to be acting in the role of a friend” to the pupil, “rather than acting as their teacher, a professional and a role model for pupils.”

However, it was taken into consideration that he had two positive references that had been provided when he applied for the job which referred to him as being a “caring and effective tutor” who had “great enthusiasm”.

Ultimately, Mr Chown was handed a prohibition order and is now banned from teaching indefinitely, meaning he cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until March 12, 2027.

David Oatley, who made the final decision on behalf of the secretary of state, said: “I have decided that a two-year review period reflects the seriousness of the findings and is a proportionate period to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession.”