QEH Bristol music teacher banned for inappropriate behaviour with pupil

A music teacher at a prestigious Bristol private school who made inappropriate comments to a boy about his sexuality and appearance, bought him a beer and gave him wine as they watched television at his house has been banned from the profession. Stefan Hofkes, 52, resigned from Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH) independent boys’ day school in Clifton in June 2022 after persisting with his behaviour with the pupil despite two written warnings within a year.

He told the youngster he wanted to “headbutt your mum” after the child had an argument with her on holiday about his friendship with the teacher and that Hofkes also tried to “force” him into believing he was gay, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) professional conduct panel heard. Hofkes also hugged the boy on numerous occasions and the pair exchanged about 20 text messages each day and went on walks together almost daily during lockdown.

The panel has now barred him indefinitely, with a minimum two-year period before he can apply to teach again. It found that his actions were not sexually motivated but the panel was concerned about his failure to realise the impact it had on the youngster and the risk of repetition.

The TRA’s report, published on Tuesday, October 29, following a three-day hearing said the boy, Pupil A, stated Hofkes regularly complimented his physical appearance when they were alone which made him feel uncomfortable. It said the teacher, who did not attend the tribunal and was not represented, said his comments had been misinterpreted and that they were made “at the level a parent or relative might make when faced with a young person making self-critical comments about their appearance”, including telling him he was a “good-looking young man”.

The report said: “The nature and context of these comments, especially a comment that linked Pupil A’s appearance to men to whom Hofkes was attracted, were found by the panel to be inappropriate.” Hofkes told the youngster that he “knew” the boy was gay, the report said.

It said: “Pupil A stated that he still finds the topic of his sexuality uncomfortable and that whilst he knows he is not gay, Hofkes tried to ‘force [him into] that identity’. In oral evidence, Pupil A referred to watching television with Hofkes and his partner, and Hofkes stated that he thought Pupil A was attracted to a male contestant on a television programme.”

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The teacher admitted telling the child that he wanted to headbutt his mum but that this was a joke and taken as such. The report said the comment “undermined the relationship between parent and son”, although the panel did not find it of a “threatening nature, since although the comment was said in an angry manner, Pupil A was not left with the impression that Hofkes was going to act” on it.

It said the pair exchanged phone numbers because the teacher had asked the youngster to look after his cat while he was on holiday, but there was “clear evidence of Hofkes continuing to message Pupil A” about two years later. One of the messages the teacher sent, referring to his holiday, said: “So many real, beautiful gay men out and about! Sorry not professional.”

The child told the panel that he had visited Hofkes’ home more than once and that they ate food and watched television, although his mum had known and the adult’s partner was often there too. The boy said Hofkes hugged him on numerous occasions, both inside and outside the QEH, which made him feel more uncomfortable as he got older, although the teacher had always asked first.

The report said: “In Pupil A’s witness statement, he stated that he and [REDACTED] and Hofkes had bought him a beer afterwards. Pupil A confirmed this in oral evidence and added there had been occasions also when he had had a small glass of wine or prosecco at Hofkes’ house.”

The teacher denied buying the youngster, who was under 18 at the time, any alcoholic drink, but the panel found the allegation proven. It also concluded that Hofkes walked the child home on multiple occasions.

The panel found allegations not proven that he touched the pupil’s bottom or that his conduct was sexually motivated. Its report said: “The panel considered that Hofkes was in breach of the requirements to act in the best interest of the child and to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child.

“The panel noted that conduct found proven took place outside the education setting. The panel considered that it affected the way Hofkes fulfilled his teaching role, as he failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with Pupil A which impacted upon Pupil A’s confidence, caused him to feel isolated from his friends and family, and his sexuality has become ‘a difficult and uncomfortable topic’ for him.

“Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Hofkes was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. The panel accepted that Hofkes was an inspirational teacher.

“However, he had previously been warned in writing by the school to have regard to the appropriate boundaries between teacher and pupil. Hofkes’ representative provided written representations in which it was stated that Hofkes acknowledges and has apologised for professional failings on his part but he categorically denies having acted with any improper motivation.

“The panel accepted that Hofkes’ actions may well have been well intentioned to support and nurture Pupil A. However, in not maintaining appropriate boundaries, he isolated Pupil A from his family and friends and Hofkes left himself open to his intentions being misinterpreted.

“He failed to recognise the effect that this had on Pupil A or why those boundaries are important, [given] the panel concerns regarding the risk of repetition.” It said the conduct was “not at the most serious end of the possible spectrum” and recommended a review period after two years.

Hofkes worked at the school from 2010 as a visiting music teacher before being employed as a part-time piano tutor six years later. The school has been approached for a comment.