Teacher banned from profession after ‘sexual relationship’ with pupil at private school

The former deputy head of an elite private school has been banned from teaching following his “sexual relationship with a vulnerable pupil”.

Philip Culling was appointed as the deputy head teacher and a child protection officer at Goldolphin and Latymer School in 2011. He was married with three children. In July 2012, when the student had completed year 12, her mother invited him to dinner. He told the girl he was attracted to her. In February 2013, he visited her when she was in a “very upset state”. He kissed her two weeks later.

A panel from the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found Culling took the student to a pub during school hours, kissed her in the school lift, and engaged in sex acts with her in his office.

Prior to the student’s 18th birthday, Culling emailed her: “52 hours away from being a legal adult.”

Culling, who was then aged 41, and the student had sex in a park on the day of the leavers’ party on June 2013. Over the following summer, Culling would visit the student’s family home to have sex with her once a week.

Godolphin and Latymer School and the police found out about this relationship in 2014. However, Culling claimed he didn’t develop romantic feelings for the pupil until after she’d left the school. Godolphin and Latymer School decided not to take any disciplinary action against Culling.

Goldolphin and Latymer School
(Image via Google Maps)

He left Godolphin and Latymer School in 2014, and got a job at Holland Park Pre-Prep and Nursery in 2016.

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A whistleblower came forward in 2022, and the TRA investigated the matter. The TRA found Culling “took advantage of the position of trust he was in towards a vulnerable child for his own gratification”. The chief executive of the TRA has banned him “indefinitely” from teaching.

A spokesperson for Goldophin and Latymer School told The Tab: “The TRA’s report reveals a shocking and deeply disturbing pattern of behaviour which we unequivocally condemn.  We fully support the TRA’s decision to bar Philip Culling from ever working in the teaching profession again.

“He left Godolphin and Latymer 11 years ago after a comprehensive governor-led investigation into his conduct.  The Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority Designated Officer was fully aware and supported this course of action at the time, and the police were also informed.  New information and evidence have now come to light through the TRA process and we are reviewing this.

“Above all, we are devastated to learn that a former pupil suffered in this way.”

Godolphin and Latymer is a very selective all girls’ day school in west London. The fees are £11,226 per term.

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Featured image by Paul Farmer.