Geography Teacher Indefinitely Barred Over Inappropriate Conduct with Pupils
A geography teacher from Ditton Park Academy in Slough, Berkshire, has been permanently barred from the teaching profession after admitting to a series of serious misconduct allegations involving former and current pupils. Roger Towersey, 37, confessed to sending £500 to a former pupil and spending approximately £1,000 on fast food deliveries for students, actions deemed "highly inappropriate" by regulatory authorities.
Unprofessional Messages and Financial Transfers
Between October 2023 and April 2024, Mr Towersey engaged in multiple social media exchanges with a former pupil, sending messages just before her 18th birthday that discussed personal matters including money, college plans, and shopping. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel reviewed evidence showing he transferred £500 to this former student through multiple payments during March and April 2024.
In one particularly concerning TikTok message, Mr Towersey wrote: "Be careful they will wonder where all the ££ came from. They will think your dealing or doing only fans." Another message read: "Don't be getting anything too nice, I don't want to be responsible for either of you pulling and accidently getting pregnant. Stay out of Victoria Secret aswell."
Fast Food Expenditure and Vulnerable Pupils
The disciplinary panel found that Mr Towersey had spent around £1,000 on fast food deliveries for one or two current pupils using services like Just Eat. These students were identified as vulnerable individuals with whom the teacher had spent time alone and allowed access to school premises outside normal hours.
During the investigation, it emerged that Mr Towersey had failed to report that these children had told him they were hungry and cold - a "significant factor" in the decision to ban him from teaching. The panel determined his actions represented repeated attempts to "gain a level of familiarity with pupils which was not appropriate for a teacher-pupil relationship."
Admissions and Consequences
In a written statement to the TRA, Mr Towersey admitted his actions amounted to "unacceptable professional conduct" that could bring the teaching profession into "disrepute." He claimed during an internal school meeting that he had "forgotten" the recipient was a former student and wanted to ensure she had someone to talk to, while acknowledging that messaging her was "beyond (his) remit."
Regarding the financial transfers, Mr Towersey told school investigators he realized sending money was a "stupid" thing to do immediately after offering it. In his defense, he insisted his motivations were "not nefarious or sinister" and believed his actions had provided a "net benefit" to one pupil's academic performance.
The TRA panel rejected these justifications, concluding that Mr Towersey's conduct was "clearly unprofessional" and posed serious safeguarding concerns. As of March 3, 2026, he has been banned indefinitely from teaching in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children's home in England, though he retains the right to apply for restoration of his teaching eligibility in the future.
