Neil Wilby Media

In a recent decision by a professional conduct panel convened by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), Mark Christopher Blackie, 35, a former teacher at Graham School in Scarborough, faced allegations related to sexual offending against young female pupils, ultimately resulting in a recommendation for a prohibition order.

The panel, chaired by Dr. Nicholas Catterall, along with teacher panellists Joanne Arscott and Georgina Bean, convened on 7th March 2024 via a virtual hearing to deliberate on the case of Mark Blackie.

The legal advisor to the panel was Nicholas West of Birketts LLP solicitors, whilst Andrew Barnfield, instructed by Capsticks LLP solicitors, served as the presenting officer for the TRA.

Blackie, formerly of East Lutton, Malton, was convicted on 31st January 2022 at York Crown Court on multiple counts of sexual assault and related offences, including attempted rape.

Despite Mr. Blackie’s continued denial of the allegations, the panel found these allegations proven based on the evidence provided.

a) 7 counts of sexual assault on a female;

b) 1 count of sexual assault on a female aged 13 or over by penetration with part of body/a thing;

c) 1 count of causing/ inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – offender aged 18 or over – by penetration;

d) 1 count of attempted rape of a girl 13/14/15 years of age.

In written submissions to the panel he had said: “I would like to be struck off from the profession. I have no desire to ever return to such an unsafe career for the rest of my natural life. I will never teach again.”

The panel’s decision, published on 15th March 2024, highlighted the seriousness of Blackie’s offences and their impact on public confidence in the teaching profession. Given the nature of the convictions and the risk they pose to pupils and public safety, the panel recommended the imposition of a prohibition order by the Secretary of State for Education.

The recommendation for a prohibition order was made in consideration of various public interest factors, including the safeguarding of pupils, maintaining public confidence in the profession, and upholding proper standards of conduct. The panel found no mitigating circumstances to warrant a review period, leading to a recommendation for an indefinite prohibition order.

In response to the panel’s recommendation, the Secretary of State for Education carefully considered the case and endorsed the recommendation for a prohibition order without provision for a review period. This decision, aimed at protecting pupils and maintaining public confidence in the teaching profession, prohibits Blackie from teaching indefinitely and restricts his eligibility for restoration.

Mr. Blackie retains the right to appeal the decision to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from the date of the order.

The decision underscores the commitment of regulatory authorities to uphold the highest standards of conduct within the teaching profession and to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

Mark Blackie, originally from Skipton, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. A jury at York Crown Court had heard that his actions had driven one of the girls he had assaulted to take an overdose and to self harm. He had taken her alone into an area within the school and committed a serious sexual offence on her as well as attempting to rape her and other abuse, the jury also heard.

Two of the other girls Blackie abused were vulnerable because of their emotional state when the offending occured.

After his conviction, details of further sexual allegations made against him by another girl, concerning alleged offending many years earlier, emerged. The Crown Prosecution Service requested that those charges ‘lie on file’, which, in layperson’s terms, means they will be  disclosed on his criminal record if viewed, but not as convictions.

The trial judge, The Recorder of York HHJ Sean Morris, commended Detective Constable Beverley Garbutt of North Yorkshire Police for her “excellent police work” in building the case against Blackie.