A music teacher at two Devon schools has been suspended from teaching for six months after a finding that he made 'inappropriate contact' with seven pupils, made comments of a sexual nature to another and took photographs of two that he claimed were for his 'personal files'.

The General Teaching Council's Professional Conduct Committee found Graham Williams guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' while employed at Eggbuckland Community College, Plymouth between 1990 and 2001 and at Tavistock College, between 2006 to 2008.

The committee found he 'made inappropriate physical contact and failed to maintain appropriate teacher/pupil boundaries with several pupils' at Eggbuckland Community College.

 The committee also found that during his employment as a teacher at Tavistock College, between 2006 to 2008, he acted inappropriately and unprofessionally towards students, in that he made inappropriate comments to two pupils, including comments of a sexual nature.

It also found that Mr Williams had taken photographs of the same two pupils.?When questioned by one of the pupils, he said whilst some of the photographs were for school use, others were for his 'personal files'.

The committee said Mr Williams accepted 'fully and without reservation' all the allegations made against him.

The committee concluded that Mr Williams had not learned how to behave appropriately, particularly with young female students.  'Mr Williams has fallen short of the standard expected of a registered teacher and his admitted behaviour is a breach of the standards of propriety expected of the profession,' the committee stated.

The committee said it was clear Mr Williams was a talented musician, a lively and popular member of staff and it had received testimonials describing him as a 'committed and gifted teacher'.

Mr Williams has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.