Educating Manchester teacher and brother Drew and Ross Povey struck off from teaching

Brothers Drew and Ross Povey, well-known for their roles in the TV show “Educating Greater Manchester,” have been removed from the teaching register due to ‘unacceptable professional conduct.’ The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found them guilty of allegations involving the removal of students from the register, a practice known as ‘off-rolling’, in order to enhance the school’s performance data. Drew Povey, the former headteacher of Harrop Fold in Salford, and his brother Ross, who served as the assistant head, have both been banned from teaching indefinitely.

The TRA panel concluded that Drew Povey failed to maintain accurate records, potentially risking the safety of pupils, and that Ross Povey was involved in the manipulation of pupil attendance data. Despite their denials, all charges against them have been proven. Following Drew’s resignation in 2018, parents at the school, now named Lowry Academy, had advocated for his reinstatement, claiming he was the target of a personal vendetta. Despite praise for Drew’s character, an October hearing revealed concerns about his managerial skills and knowledge of administrative procedures.

The TRA prohibition order reports described the Povey brothers’ actions as falling significantly short of professional standards and amounting to serious misconduct. Drew and Ross Povey have been banned from teaching in any educational institution in England, with the possibility of applying for the ban to be lifted not until October 30, 2026.

The case of the Povey brothers serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of upholding professional conduct in the education sector and the consequences of actions that compromise the integrity of the teaching profession. The TRA’s decision to indefinitely ban them from teaching underscores the severity of their misconduct and the need for accountability in ensuring the welfare and education of students.

In conclusion, the story of Drew and Ross Povey highlights the repercussions of unethical behavior in the teaching profession and the importance of maintaining professional standards to uphold the integrity of the education system. It serves as a reminder to educators of their responsibility towards students and the repercussions of actions that compromise the trust and well-being of the school community.