Married music teacher, 33, banned from the classroom for life after sexual relationship with pupil

A music teacher who had a three-month sexual relationship with one pupil and kissed another has been banned from teaching for life.

James Cocks, now 33 and married, had sex with the student at Regents Park School in Southampton in 2009, when he was a newly qualified teacher.  

He was arrested by police last year and firmly denied having an inappropriate relationship. 

However, he later admitted to a disciplinary hearing that he did have a relationship with the unnamed pupil, while she was still on the school roll.

Today, Cocks was struck off at a misconduct tribunal for unacceptable professional conduct.

The tribunal heard he also assured the pupil, who’s age is unknown, that she wouldn’t get pregnant after she said she was worried they hadn’t used contraception. 

The Teaching Regulation Agency was told that the former pupil – known as Pupil A – told police in 2018 she had a three-month sexual relationship with Cocks in summer of 2009, shortly after finishing her final exams, when he was 23.

Cocks also faced a complaint that he had kissed another former schoolgirl – known as Pupil C.

Panel chair Brian Hawkins said: ‘A police investigation took place and on July 9 2018, Mr Cocks was arrested and interviewed under caution.

‘It is alleged that during this interview Mr Cocks lied in that he told the police that he had not had a relationship with Pupil A and had not kissed Pupil C.’

Cocks, who was Director of Music at the Varndean School in Brighton until his resignation in January last year, admitted being dishonest with police.

He confessed he had a sexual relationship with Pupil A and had kissed Pupil C, admitting his denials were ‘lacking in integrity’.

Cocks was said to be ‘worried about the consequences’ on his career and family life, the hearing was told.

Mr Hawkins said: ‘It was clear from social media messages that there had been a sexual relationship between Mr Cocks and Pupil A.

‘For example, in dialogue on 21 August 2009, there is reference to Pupil A being concerned about not having used contraceptives and Mr Cocks reassuring her.’

Cocks was a newly-qualified teacher at Regents Park when he had sexual relations with the pupil, who was still on the school roll.

He admitted unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.

Mr Hawkins said: ‘Mr Cocks had a duty to maintain professional boundaries regardless of whether Pupil A was a current or recent pupil.

‘The panel noted that the relationship was consensual but given the imbalance in age and power the panel considered that having a sexual relationship with a current or recent pupil is a gross transgression of appropriate professional boundaries and an abuse of a position of trust.

‘In relation to the denial of the conduct to the police, the panel noted that Mr Cocks must have been in a difficult and stressful situation but concluded that teachers have a duty to act with honesty and integrity.

‘This is particularly the case when dealing with a formal police investigation. Mr Cocks did not do so and this is a serious matter which the panel considered is likely to impact adversely on the reputation of the profession.’

Cocks was banned from the teaching profession indefinitely.

Signing off on the ban, civil servant Alan Meyrick said: ‘Mr Cocks was in a position of responsibility and ought not to have had a sexual relationship with Pupil A.

‘Although there have been full admissions to the conduct alleged, the panel noted that when questioned by the police Mr Cocks denied the sexual relationship with Pupil A despite being aware of what had happened.

‘This was dishonest and unacceptable for a teacher.’ 

He did work as a musical tutor before being investigated but has not taught or had any pupils since leaving teaching in 2018.