Teacher Denies ‘Six Inches’ Message to Student Was Sexual

A college teacher was not sexually motivated when he sent a teenager a social media message asking what she'd do with him if he was "pocket size, like six inches" and could do with him what she wanted, a professional standards panel has ruled.

Coleg Cambria teacher Mark Roberston was wrong to have blurred boundaries and act as a father figure to a "vulnerable" student by sending her what he believed was a supportive message on social media, when it could be construed as sexual, the Education Workforce Council fitness to practise committee said.

In his message to the 18 year-old student, identified only as Learner One to protect her identity, Mr Robertson, who has represented Wales in culinary competitions internationally, told the student: "So imagine I am pocket size, like six inches tall, and you find me. You realise you can do anything you want with me. What would you do? And only you and me would know." 

The comment was read out at the start of the hearing in October. But on the last day of the reconvened hearing on December 15 panel chair Susan Davies said the committee had judged there was no sexual or malicious intent in the Instagram message sent to the student at 10pm.

Mr Robertson had already had a warning from his employer not to contact students via social media messages when the message was sent. He should not have sent his student the Instagram message referencing the six-inch rat chef in the Disney animation Ratatouille, Ms Davies told him. But the panel accepted his explanation that it was meant to be supportive and not sexual.

He said they had been discussing the film's "tiny chef" and nothing sexual was intended, although he accepted it could seem that way. The commitee heard that "in a panic" the teacher deleted the string of messages that may have shown that it was an innocent exchange when an investigation was launched.

The student was worried about practical cooking exams, Mr Robertson said. He had suggested to the teenager he could be like the little rat in the 2007 Disney animation Ratatouille who hides under a trainee chef's hat to give cooking instructions.

But Ms Davies said: "She (the student) said she felt he was referring to a sex toy. He said that was not his intention but could see it could be seen that way. The committee recognise it could be seen to be sexual but did not find he had any sexual intention. It was not explicitly sexual but somewhat without proper thought. But the committee was satisfied he was not seeeking sexual gratification or a relationship."

The committee also found that comments Mr Robertson is alleged to have made to his college class were also not for sexual gratification. However, the committee chair added: "Some of his behaviour could be seen as bizarre, weird and inappropriate."

Another allegation that he touched the same student's hair in class was found proved and breached professional boundaries. Other allegations found proved that he had touched and hugged students in his class must not happen again. He had also blurred professional student/teacher boundaries when he had told a male student he was "punching" above his weight with his girlfriend.

It was found not proved that Mr Robertson spat food onto the floor of the classroom, plaited another student's hair in class and told another she looked like a 12-year-old with pigtails. The panel found he had also not asked another student: “Do you want to be my little biker chick?" All the allegations were said to have taken place sometime between 2022 and 2023.

Summing up the hearing, Ms Davies said: "It is not appropriate for a lecturer to adopt a stance of father figure. He behaved in a way that was unacceptable and inappropriate." He must put in place clearer boundaries when teaching, it was decided.

Mr Robertson told the committee he "felt awful", was deeply sorry, and the behaviour would never be repeated. He would be willing to undertake any training necessary but had not decided whether to go back into teaching.

"This (the hearing and investigation) as been the scariest, most terrifying thing in my career," he told the panel. "It has hung over me for two years. I have kicked myself so many times. My social media is now locked and I would follow proper protocol channels if there were concerns (about students). I have to be a professional lecturer, not a father figure."

He said he had lost his job and career he loved and deepy regretted his actions. "Hand on heart, as God is my witness, I will never be in this situation again," he told the panel.

Placing a reprimand on his registration, the panel said it must stay on his record for two years and would be disclosed to any potential future employer until it runs out. This means he may teach for the period of the reprimand.

Wishing him luck, Ms Davies warned Mr Robertson: "Please, please abide by the (EWC) code in the future." Mr Robertson has the right to appeal the decision of the panel to the High Court within 28 days.