Former Maidenhead teacher banned from teaching indefinitely after indecent image conviction
He will not be allowed to apply to have the order lifted
A former art and technology teacher at a Maidenhead school has been banned from teaching indefinitely after being convicted of possessing an indecent image of a child.
William Goswell, who worked at Furze Platt Senior School, has been made subject of a prohibition order by the Secretary of State for Education.
The decision follows a hearing of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) professional conduct panel on 28th September 2026.
The order means he cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.
He will not be entitled to apply to have the order lifted.
The conviction
Goswell pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates' Court on 1st May 2025 to possessing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child.
The offence related to 8th December 2022 and involved a Category A image.
He was sentenced on 27th June 2025 to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, notification requirements, a 200-hour unpaid work requirement and a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Timeline of events
Goswell was employed at Furze Platt Senior School as an art and technology teacher on 6th February 2023.
He was arrested on 29th August 2023.
The school opened an investigation on 26th September 2023, which ended with a disciplinary meeting on 19th October 2023.
The school referred him to the TRA on 22nd November 2023.
What the panel found
The hearing was held virtually and was in public, apart from some portions heard in private.
Goswell attended and was not represented.
He admitted the allegation, and that it amounted to a conviction for a relevant offence.
The panel found he had breached teaching standards, including those on upholding public trust and safeguarding pupils' wellbeing.
It said the offending could affect public confidence in the teaching profession.
The panel said: "The panel considered that there was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, given the fact that Mr Goswell was in possession of an image which was associated with the exploitation of a child."
Goswell's submissions
Goswell told the panel he was affected at the time by difficult personal circumstances and health issues.
He also said he had inadvertently downloaded the material.
The panel said it had seen no independent medical evidence and no evidence that his actions were not deliberate.
It also said his circumstances did not undermine the seriousness of the offending.
The panel acknowledged the conviction related to a single image, but said this did not indicate low seriousness.
It noted he had no previous regulatory or disciplinary findings, and that no doubt had been cast on his abilities as an educator.
The panel said he had shown some remorse and had engaged with the probation service.
It said it could not properly assess his insight, remorse or risk of repeating the offence because he did not give evidence and was not questioned.
The decision
The panel recommended a prohibition order with immediate effect and no provision for a review period.
The decision was made on behalf of the Secretary of State by David Oatley, who agreed with the recommendation on 29th September 2026.
He said: "In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession."
The order takes effect from the date it is served on Goswell.
He has the right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days of being given notice.