School responds as trainer claimed to be a naturist after being seen on bare stroll
A maths teacher was arrested after he was found naked in a residential area – with pubgoers also reporting him to the police for walking naked near the River Tyne
Ellison Street, Hebburn, South Tyneside, looking towards the River Tyne(Image: Reach Plc)
Bosses at a school took “immediate” action after a maths teacher was spotted on a naked walk. Leaders at Hetton Academy issued a comprehensive statement after a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing concluded regarding the actions of former mathematics instructor Andrew Peacock.
Mr Peacock served as deputy head of mathematics until 2024. A statement from the Northern Education Trust, which operates the school, emphasised that “immediately” following notification of his detention to the headteacher, an inquiry was initiated.
A TRA tribunal panel determined this week that Mr Peacock had engaged in serious professional misconduct and damaged the reputation of the teaching profession, reports Chronicle Live.
He was detained during the late evening hours of November 11 2023 – pub patrons had witnessed him unclothed on Ellison Street in Hebburn.
The tribunal was told he had accepted a police caution for a public order violation – specifically causing harassment, alarm or distress.
Mr Peacock had acknowledged that he was discovered naked in a residential area by two members of the public who alerted authorities.
The hearing was informed that witnesses reported to police that Mr Peacock had subsequently entered his stationary vehicle and “driven up and down” the road, prompting them to seek cover.
The tribunal established four charges as proven, including that the educator had been dishonest. At the hearing, TRA case presenter Leah Redden stated: “It is [Mr Peacock’s] position that he is a naturist and had been delivering food in the local area before deciding to go for a walk by the river.”
The teacher claimed to have spent less than a minute outdoors – returning towards his car when he heard a voice.
Hetton Academy’s headteacher Vicky Pinkney gave evidence, expressing her surprise. She said: “He seemed to think that he was a naturist and it didn’t affect school and that it was acceptable for him to be out and about without his clothes on. I was quite shocked – as I did think it affects school.”
Now, leaders at the Northern Education Trust have released a statement saying: “When Hetton Academy were made aware of the police charge against Mr Peacock, the academy immediately followed the trust’s established procedures to investigate the matter.
“Mr Peacock was dismissed from the trust at the conclusion of the investigation, following which the trust fulfilled its statutory legal obligations by referring the matter to the Teaching Regulation Agency.
“The trust is satisfied that the matter was managed robustly and in accordance with all internal procedures.”
The hearing this week revealed how Mr Peacock had admitted to being naked but insisted he had “taken reasonable steps” to avoid being seen.
The panel chair also outlined that in his evidence to the TRA and the school disciplinary hearing, Mr Peacock had maintained that he accepted the police caution to “avoid attracting media attention” and to safeguard the school’s reputation.
Following the proven allegations against him, Mr Peacock will now await the panel’s recommendation on whether he should be prohibited from teaching.
This verdict is anticipated to be released within three working days of the hearing.
