A former teacher at Sutton School in Dudley has been banned from the profession indefinitely after being convicted of making indecent images and videos of children. Benjamin Woodvine, 32, was arrested at the school on July 17, 2024, and later pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.
Woodvine, who began working at the Scotts Green Close school in 2023, was interviewed by police under caution for 'viewing, possessing and/or distributing indecent images'. He was suspended from his role on September 6, 2024, and dismissed on October 3, 2024.
Conviction and sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court
On August 5, 2025, Woodvine was convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court of six counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child between June 2013 and July 2024. The offences involved nine Category A images, the most serious kind, alongside 14 Category B and 14 Category C images.
Woodvine, who had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing, was sentenced to a community order, given a sexual harm prevention order, and ordered to pay court costs.
Professional conduct panel finds 'serious misconduct'
A professional conduct investigation was carried out, and last month a panel found that Woodvine's actions amounted to 'serious misconduct'. In their report, the panel noted the recorder's comments that aggravating factors included the 'ages of the children in this case and the fact that there was a moving image'.
The panel added: "There was no evidence that Woodvine's actions were not deliberate." They also stated: "There was no evidence to suggest he was acting under extreme duress - such as the presence of a physical threat or significant intimidation."
Decision maker cites lack of remorse
The panel concluded: "We concluded it would pose an exceptionally high risk to children if Woodvine were permitted to continue to teach, given what the panel considered to be ongoing issues posed by his sexual predilections."
Decision maker David Oatley, working on behalf of the Secretary of State, said he had seen no evidence showing that Woodvine was remorseful. Mr Oatley said: "In my judgement, the lack of evidence of full insight and remorse means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils."
Woodvine is now prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegation found proved against him, Mr Oatley decided that Woodvine shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
