An assistant headteacher at a prestigious Liverpool school who was dismissed 13 years ago over an inappropriate relationship with a student - before being reinstated - has been suspended and placed under investigation.
In July 2010 Nick Barends was dismissed from his role at the Blue Coat grammar school in south Liverpool over his conduct with an A-Level student. He was later reinstated by a panel of governors and continued teaching at the school.
But the ECHO can now reveal Mr Barends has been suspended by the school related to an 'historic' allegation from over a decade ago. The ECHO understands this involves a separate matter.
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The new allegation prompted an investigation by the school. There is also an ongoing investigation into Mr Barends's conduct by the Teacher Regulation Agency.
It is understood that Mr Barends, an assistant head and PE teacher at the school, was suspended in January of this year and has not returned to the school premises since that point.
A spokesperson for the Blue Coat said: "Recently the school received an allegation about the historic conduct of a staff member. While the allegation is from over a decade ago, it is no less important that we treat it sensitively and seriously.
"We have taken quick action in line with our policies and procedures, and are working closely with the appropriate authorities while investigations are completed."
Suspension is common in such circumstances while an investigation takes place and does not imply guilt.
The ECHO has seen correspondence which confirms that the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) - the regulator for the teaching profession - is conducting a formal investigation into Mr Barends's conduct.
Under the Education Act, the TRA - working on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education - is able to prohibit teachers from the profession for reasons of unacceptable professional conduct or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. The only sanction that TRA can impose is a prohibition order which prohibits an individual from teaching and applies for life.
The TRA says it endeavours to conclude cases as quickly as possible.
Mr Barends was previously dismissed by the Blue Coat in July 2010 over an inappropriate relationship with an A-level student.
An investigation found there was no suggestion Nick Barends had sex with the student. But the ECHO reported at the time that Mr Barends, who had already taught at the school for 18 years by that point, was sacked over his conduct surrounding the girl and a perceived close relationship between the two.
But maintaining his innocence, his union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), supported Mr Barends during a two-day appeal at the school. It was then revealed that a three-strong panel of governors decided to reinstate the teacher at the school where he continued to teach until his suspension in January 2023.
Mr Barends has been approached for a response via his trade union.
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