James McMurray banned from teaching for life after conviction

James McMurray, 44, has been issued a lifetime ban from teaching following his conviction for making and publishing indecent images of children. The decision follows a two-day professional conduct hearing by the Teaching Regulation Agency.

McMurray, a former supply teacher at King Edward VI Community College in Totnes and the former Mayor of Teignmouth, pleaded guilty in 2024 to offences involving four separate images. He received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was issued a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a requirement to register with the police for 10 years.

The hearing panel concluded that McMurray’s actions posed a risk to the wellbeing of pupils and could damage public confidence in the teaching profession. McMurray previously served as a town, district, and county councillor for Teignmouth and was the town's youngest mayor during his term from 2012 to 2013.