Former Hasmonean teacher jailed for sex with a pupil, 17

Hasmonean High School has sought to reassure parents after a former teacher was jailed for having sex with a pupil.

In a letter sent on Thursday morning, Hasmo headteacher Andrew McClusky informed mums and dads that former teacher Chris Hoile had been jailed for two years after engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl.

According to reports from KentOnline, the offence took place between 2004 and 2005 while the history and politics teacher, 43, was at Rochester Cathedral school, having earlier taught at Hasmonean from 1999 to 2000.

Hoile was sentenced after pleading guilty to four offences of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust.

In his letter, McClusky said: “It is important to note that the offences took place after this teacher had left Hasmonean. Should you have any concerns or historical allegations about this former teacher, the Local Authority Designated Officer at Barnet has advised that you report these directly to the police.”

He added that “rigorous safer recruitment procedures” including Safeguarding Disclosure and Barring checks were now followed when recruiting staff, with “stringent child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures” in-place.