A teacher who taught at an independent day school in Greenwich has been banned from the profession after being convicted of communicating sexually with a child in an online chat room.

Mr Christopher William Dunsmore, of Colfe’s School in Greenwich, was convicted on November 9, 2020 of attempting or engaging in sexual communication with a child on August 21, 2017.

Mr Dunsmore admitted both the fact of the allegation and that it constituted a conviction of a relevant offence.

On September 5, 2017 Mr Dunsmore was arrested by the Metropolitan Police.

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He appeared before Woolwich Crown Court on November 9, 2020, and pleaded guilty to the offence with which he had been charged.

Mr Dunsmore was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months and to appear on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further order under s103 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The findings were revealed in individual teacher misconduct panel rulings compiled on the gov.uk website.

The extent of bad behaviour committed by teachers across the country can be viewed all in one place.

Teachers accused of wrongdoing are referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

The agency then weighs up evidence to decide whether or not a teacher should be prohibited from the profession on recommendation of the Security of State.

Mr Dunsmore started teaching at the school in 2007.

Files from the police’s Case File Summary reveal Mr Dunsmore responded to someone posing as, and who introduced herself as, a 14-old-female in an online chat room.

Mr Dunsmore had introduced himself by his first name, stating he was 36-years-old and a teacher.

A sexualised conversation ensued which culminated in Mr Dunsmore masturbating for the operative to see.

The panel decided it was important that findings were presented to the Security of State as there was a strong public interest consideration in respect to the protection of pupils.

Taking all of the above into consideration, the Secretary of State decided to prohibit Mr Dunsmore from teaching in the future.

This was determined on February 4, 2022 after a public hearing on January 31, 2022 in which Mr Dunsmore was not present.

Writing on behalf of the Security of State, decision maker John Knowles said: “The panel was of the view that, applying the standard of the ordinary intelligent citizen, the recommendation of no prohibition order would be both a proportionate and an appropriate response.

“This means that Mr Christopher Dunsmore is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

“Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegation found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Dunsmore shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.”

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