Report serious teacher misconduct
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-31)

How to report a teacher - what counts as serious misconduct, what information to include in your report, when you may need to attend a teacher misconduct hearing.

Contact the police (https://www.gov.uk/contact-police) if you think a child is in immediate danger.

Use this service to report serious teacher misconduct in England if you’re:
- a member of the public
- an employer
You should follow the school’s complaints process before reporting a teacher for serious misconduct. Your report may not be investigated unless you do.

There’s a different way to:
- report teacher misconduct in Scotland (https://www.gtcs.org.uk/fitness-to-teach/)
- report teacher misconduct in Wales (https://www.ewc.wales/)
- report teacher misconduct in Northern Ireland (https://gtcni.org.uk/regulation/making-a-referral)
What counts as serious teacher misconduct

Serious misconduct is any behaviour that could result in a teacher not being allowed to teach again. This includes:
- sexual misconduct, including assault, abuse or harassment
- violent behaviour
- serious failure to protect the safety and wellbeing of pupils
- alcohol or drug misuse
- fraud or serious dishonesty
- discrimination or harassment
- promoting extreme political or religious views
You can also report a teacher who has resigned or been dismissed.

If your report does not count as serious teacher misconduct

If you want to make a complaint but do not think it counts as serious teacher misconduct, contact:
- the school or sixth-form college
- the board of governors or academy trust
- your local council (https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council)
Before you start

You’ll need to provide:
- your contact details - you cannot report a teacher anonymously
- the full name and job title of the person you’re reporting
You should include any evidence you have, such as reports you’ve made or communication you’ve had with the school, police or local council.

What happens after you make a report

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) will usually contact you within 3 working days of receiving your report. They may ask you for additional background information.

If they decide to investigate, your name and details of the report will be shared with the teacher and their employer. You may need to give evidence at a hearing.

It could take several months for the outcome to be decided. The TRA will tell you the outcome of their decision.

If your case is not investigated, your report may still be shared with the teacher. Your name and contact details will not be shared.

Report serious teacher misconduct online

You’ll be able to save your answers and come back later.

Start now (https://refer-serious-misconduct.education.gov.uk/)

Other ways to report serious teacher misconduct

By email

Fill in the teacher misconduct referral form for employers (/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-referral-form) or the teacher misconduct referral form for members of the public (/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-referral-form).

Email the form to the TRA.

Teaching Regulation Agency xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

By post

Send the form by registered post.

Teaching Regulation AgencyCheylesmore House5 Quinton RoadCoventryCV1 2WT