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A maths teacher who was spotted strolling naked along a popular riverside beauty spot has had his licence to enter classrooms taken away. Astonished pub-goers thought something didn't quite add up when they spotted Andrew Peocock minus his clothes walking beside the River Tyne. Peacock, who served as deputy head of department at Hetton Academy, North Yorks, was seen by astonished drinkers taking a nude walk in Hebburn.

The naturist subsequently accepted a caution for causing harassment, alarm or distress after witnesses alerted police. He then faced four allegations at a Teaching Regulation Agency TRA hearing, which were upheld in February. Peacock was employed at Hetton Academy from April 2013 as a mathematics teacher and later rose to deputy department head. But in May 2024, he stepped down from his role - six months after witnesses observed Peacock strolling naked in a residential area.

A report from the TRA hearing stated: "[A witness] described their friend having seen a male coming from the gates by the water edge. He stated that they all turned to look and the male was walking towards them."

"The witness stated that he noticed that the male was fully naked. He stated that the male noticed them and turned the other way. He went towards the male who ran and the witness saw him getting into a car. He stated that the male drove up and down the street three times and the witness's friend had called the police. He stated that he felt concerned about seeing the 'naked man, late at night, wearing no clothes'."

Peacock was discovered by police whilst sat in his vehicle, and officers discovered him with a grey hoodie draped across his lap whilst his bare legs were visible. During questioning, Peacock admitted that he had been naked in public and "referred to being a naturist and taking naked walks".

He explained that he had been completely nude apart from wearing trainers but had "taken reasonable steps beforehand to ensure he was not seen". He claimed that he had been outside his vehicle for approximately 30 seconds to a minute and that upon hearing voices he returned to his car to avoid causing any offence.

When officers asked whether he had derived any sexual gratification from people witnessing him walking naked in public, he responded "no". He was questioned about whether he intended for anyone who might have seen him to feel alarm or distress, to which he answered "no" but acknowledged that some individuals could react in that manner.

During the school's inquiry, Peacock provided a statement describing himself as a "naturist". He explained that on the evening in question, he had been delivering food as part of his second job as a delivery driver and decided that he fancied going for a stroll by the river.

In his statement, he revealed: "I figured that there might be a place by the river where I could walk naked away from the public gaze."

He explained that he parked up and stripped off within the car, stepping outside in the buff for less than a minute before he thought he heard voices. Swiftly, he returned to his vehicle and made a hasty exit from the area.

In the records of Peacock's interview during the school's investigation, he identified himself as a naturist, stating that he typically practises his naturism in rural locations and usually within a controlled environment. He noted that, on this specific occasion, although the area was categorised as residential, it was situated on the outskirts of land adjacent to a river.

He admitted that he hadn't ventured into the countryside because it was late and dark, so he had sought out a location that was "very quiet" and where "I was unlikely to be seen", but where there was some illumination so he could see what he was doing.

In his representations to the TRA, Peacock disclosed that he has intermittently been a naturist for several years and described it as a therapeutic activity. The report stated: "On the evening in question, he stated that he sought a quiet, isolated location for personal reflection."

Chronicle Live reported that the TRA panel also determined it was proven that Peacock failed to notify Hetton Academy of his arrest and that his behaviour lacked integrity and/or was dishonest. The panel was convinced that his actions constituted serious misconduct which fell well below the standards expected of the profession.

The panel was also satisfied that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and that his behaviour represented conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. The panel stated: "The findings of misconduct are serious, and the conduct displayed would be likely to have a negative impact on the individual's status as a teacher. The panel considered that Mr Peacock's conduct could potentially damage the public's perception of a teacher."

Andrew Peacock is now barred from teaching indefinitely and cannot work in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. He may apply for the prohibition order to be lifted, but not until February 16, 2028.