Lee Hessey, the former chief executive of a Nottinghamshire academy trust, has been banned indefinitely from teaching after a professional conduct panel found that he called parents “scrotes, vermin and pond life” and sent offensive and discriminatory messages to colleagues.
([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-panel-outcome-mr-lee-hessey))
Mr Hessey led The Forge Academy Trust, which oversees six primary schools, and was also an interim headteacher. The Teaching Regulation Agency found that his conduct amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and could bring the teaching profession into disrepute.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
Among the messages considered by the panel was one about Ofsted inspectors which read: “I hope they all go under a fucking lorry in some black ice tomorrow morning just in time for Christmas. Complete set of shitbags.”
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
The official findings also included racist, homophobic, misogynistic, transphobic and disability-related language sent in messages to two colleagues between September 2022 and April 2023.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
Mr Hessey admitted describing parents using the terms “scrotes, vermin and pond life”, as well as referring to parents who had complained as “low life”. The panel also found he had used other derogatory descriptions, including calling one parent a “stupid cow”.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
Complaints about his behaviour were made to the trust in March 2023, followed by whistleblowing complaints from two senior leaders. The case was then referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency in November that year.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
Some allegations were not proved, including claims relating to his treatment of a pupil and comments allegedly made during meetings. The panel said there was insufficient corroborating evidence in those parts of the case.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
Although the professional conduct panel recommended that no prohibition order should be imposed, a senior official acting on behalf of the Education Secretary rejected that recommendation.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
The decision-maker said Mr Hessey’s position as a chief executive and headteacher meant his behaviour was likely to have a serious impact on public confidence in the profession. The ruling said a ban was “necessary and appropriate” to uphold professional standards.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
Mr Hessey is prohibited from teaching in any school, sixth-form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. He can apply for the order to be reviewed from 4 August 2028, although any return to teaching would not be automatic.
([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9949889a177a1decf97d44/_REDACTED__Hessey__Lee_SoS_Decision.pdf))
