Matthew Hargreaves, the 47-year-old former headteacher of King's Northway Primary Academy in Wavertree, Liverpool, has admitted to making indecent images of children. The offences occurred between April 11, 2021, and May 3, 2026, according to court records.
Charges and Court Appearance
Hargreaves was charged last month with three counts of making indecent images of children. He also faces a separate charge of taking an indecent image of a child, which he denies. Following his admission, he was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on July 27 for sentencing.
School Response and Safeguarding Measures
King's Northway Primary Academy, part of the Great Schools Trust, acted swiftly upon Hargreaves' arrest. Acting principal Mark Newton informed parents in a letter that Hargreaves was immediately suspended. Newton wrote: "As soon as we were informed of his arrest several weeks ago by police colleagues, he was immediately suspended from his role as principal as part of robust local authority and Great Schools Trust safeguarding procedures."
Shane Ierston, chief executive of Great Schools Trust, confirmed that Hargreaves' offences are unrelated to his employment at the school. "Since then, we have been liaising with the relevant authorities," Ierston said. Both Newton and Ierston emphasised that the school is cooperating fully with police and providing support to the school community.
Legal Context and Sentencing
The charge of making an indecent image of children carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. It encompasses not only physically taking a photograph but also downloading, saving, or opening an email attachment containing such material. Hargreaves, of Deepdale Avenue in Rochdale, remains in custody pending his next court hearing.
