An assistant headteacher at a prestigious Liverpool school who was dismissed 13 years ago over an allegedly inappropriate relationship with a student - before being reinstated - has been sacked following a new investigation into his conduct.
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 earlier this year the ECHO revealed that Mr Barends had been suspended by the school over an 'historic' allegation from over a decade ago. The ECHO understands this involves a separate matter to the one he was previously suspended for.
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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.
The new allegation prompted an investigation by the school. There is also an ongoing probe into Mr Barends's conduct that is being carried out by the Teacher Regulation Agency, the regulator for the teaching profession.
The Blue Coat's own investigation has now finished and staff at the school were informed yesterday (Monday) that Mr Barends has had his employment with the school terminated.
A spokesperson for the Blue Coat said: "Earlier this year, our school received an allegation about the historic conduct of a staff member.
"This staff member has been away from school while an investigation took place. At the conclusion of this process, Trustees determined that the staff member should not return back to school and their employment at The Blue Coat School has been terminated.
"We have updated all relevant organisations about this outcome, including the Teachers Regulation Agency."
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 he 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 and subsequent sacking.
The ECHO has attempted to reach Mr Barends for a response via his trade union.
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