Solihull teacher charged with sexual offences over pupil relationship

A former teacher at Arden Academy in Knowle has been charged with sexual offences following a police investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct with a pupil.

Christopher Wood, from Ceredigion in Wales, has been charged with inciting a child under 18 to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust and two counts of inciting a child under 18 to view pornographic material by a person in a position of trust.

The 33-year-old was initially arrested from his home in Dorridge in December 2015 and bailed by police.

He has now been charged and will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court next month.

Parents of the school’s 1,600-plus pupils were first told of the arrest in a letter sent out in December.

Executive principal Martin Murphy confirmed police involvement last year and has now sent another letter explaining that the teacher has since resigned.

Mr Murphy’s letter said: “The member of staff concerned started working at Arden on 1 September, 2015. They were suspended by Arden on 14 December. They then resigned on 9 February, 2016, during a disciplinary investigation conducted by Arden Academy.

“I have just been informed by police that this person has now been charged by police with offences under the Sexual Offences Act.

“Arden Academy takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students.

“As there is an ongoing criminal process it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further on this case.”

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/top-solihull-teacher-charged-sexual-11907858