A science teacher who gave a pupil a pen with a hidden camera inside has been banned from the profession indefinitely. Matthew Udall, 33, told the pupil to get changed at home before using the pen to write in her journal, but she spotted the camera lens and confided in a friend and another staff member, who alerted the head teacher.
Sexually motivated actions
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found Udall's actions were 'sexually motivated and had the potential to cause serious harm to the pupil'. The panel noted there was 'no indication Mr Udall had succeeded in his attempt, but his intentions were clear from the conviction he received'.
Udall was arrested in July 2022 and convicted a little over two years later after pleading guilty to inciting or causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, no penetration, and attempting to observe a person doing a private act. He was sentenced to 31 months in prison.
No evidence of remorse
The panel said it 'was not provided with any evidence to demonstrate that Mr Udall had shown insight and remorse in relation to his conduct'. It recommended a prohibition order be 'imposed with immediate effect' with no provision for a review period as it was 'unable to say with any degree of certainty that there was a low risk of Mr Udall repeating his actions'.
The panel added Udall 'sought to conceal' his actions by telling the pupil to 'exclude their parent'.
Indefinite ban
David Oatley, acting on behalf of the secretary of state, agreed with the panel's recommendations and made the prohibition order with no review period, owing to the serious nature of the offence, 'the lack of evidence of insight and remorse, and the risk of repetition'.
Udall cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, children's home or relevant youth accommodation. 'Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Udall shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach,' Mr Oatley wrote. Udall may appeal the order to the High Court within 28 days.
