If you do a Google search for Mark Creasy and go down a few entries, you come across an uncomfortable local newspaper story.

Uncomfortable because, like a lot of newspaper headlines, those headlines are misleading and, like a lot of sensationalist stories in the press, the content is not entirely accurate.

If the headlines and the allegations were true, Mark would no longer be a practising teacher and would certainly not be a part of ITL (with a spotless DBS check like all Associates) as he has since 2013.

As it is, he made two mistakes – 1) trying to continue support for challenging students through Facebook in 2009 when he moved schools only for one of the students to then make up claims against him, claims that were proven to be false, and 2) appointing a teacher who, despite good references from his current employer and a clear CRB, later transpired to have been economical with the truth.

His trust and his naivety cost him his job as a headteacher but even that penalty has expired and he is free to lead a school again if he wished to.

From this awful time for all concerned, Mark was invited to rebuild his career in the primary sector, going back to what he loved more than the minefield of leadership anyway – being in the classroom inspiring children and changing lives.

It is for his passion and creativity and commitment in this area that we are pleased to have him as an Associate.