College teacher accused of giving pupils alcohol and discussing their sex lives

A drama teacher at an independent London college is being investigated for allegedly plying students with alcohol, discussing their sex lives and developing an “inappropriate relationship” with one pupil.

Andrew Fielding-Day, 43, asked another girl inappropriate sexual questions during a rehearsal, including whether she was a virgin, and tried to dance with her, it was claimed.

He also sexually flirted with a third pupil and hurt two of the girls by grabbing them in “sexually motivated” actions, it was alleged.

Fielding-Day quit as head of drama at DLD College London, Lambeth, in October 2014 after complaints of allegedly “unacceptable” conduct, which sparked an investigation by the college.

He is now being investigated by the Government’s schools watchdog and could be struck off if found guilty. The incidents are said to have occurred between June 2011 and April 2012 at the prestigious sixth form college, where fees reach £28,000 a year. The professional conduct panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership last week carried out an inquiry and its decision is expected later this month.

In a dossier of accusations, seen by the Standard, Fielding-Day — who worked at the college for 13 years — allegedly attended a rehearsal in April 2012 and behaved in an “inappropriate manner” by being drunk and offering under-age pupils alcohol.

He told one girl to act as if she was “begging” to perform a sexual act on him, “or words to that effect”, it was alleged. He is accused of dragging her by the hair, causing her injury.

Then he allegedly engaged in “physical play fighting” with another student, known as Pupil E, pinning her to the ground and hurting her. The reported behaviour is alleged to have been “sexually motivated”.

The teacher, from Borough, is said to have previously exchanged “flirtatious” text messages with Pupil E, and to have been drunk and consumed alcohol with other pupils.

He allegedly met and tried to meet pupils socially, discussed his sex life with them and quizzed them about their sexual activities, it was claimed.

He allegedly contacted pupils through social media and emails, developing an inappropriate relationship with Pupil E while she was at DLD.

The college said Fielding-Day was suspended in August 2014 after it was “made aware” of the allegations. A full inquiry was carried out but he resigned “before the conclusion of that process” in October, a spokesman said, adding that the college “co-operated fully with the investigation by the NCTL”.

Fielding-Day, an ex-actor and theatre director, now runs a production firm making corporate films and wedding videos. He is also a “creative consultant” for Anderson Education, a boarding schools advisory service. His lawyer did not reply to requests for comment.