Dagenham teacher Daniel Duhig banned for life after child sex messages
Godwin Primary School dismissed the Year 2 teacher after police arrested him in January 2024
Incident → evidence → outcomeA former Year 2 teacher at Godwin Primary School in Dagenham has been banned from teaching for life after sending explicit messages to a child. Daniel Duhig, 29, was convicted on 15 April 2025 of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, as reported by MyLondon.
Duhig was sentenced on 19 May to a six-month prison term suspended for 18 months. He must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, pay a £153 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs, and will remain on the sex offenders register for seven years.
Messages sent on over-18s website
The Teaching Regulation Agency panel reviewed messages Duhig sent, including asking the child if she was a 'virgin' and stating he 'wanted to join her in bed'. The panel noted the communications took place on an over-18s website, as detailed in the agency’s report.
Duhig initially claimed he was unaware of the child’s age but admitted the offence at his court hearing. The panel concluded that an indefinite prohibition order was necessary to maintain public confidence in the teaching profession.
“I consider therefore that allowing for no review period is necessary to maintain public confidence and is proportionate and in the public interest.”
School dismissal and prohibition order
Godwin Primary School placed Duhig on leave on 17 January 2024, nine days after his arrest. The school dismissed him on 2 May 2024, following his conviction. Duhig had completed only one term as a teacher before his arrest.
The Teaching Regulation Agency’s prohibition order means Duhig cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation or children’s home in England. He is permanently barred from applying to have the order lifted.
What happens next
Duhig remains on the sex offenders register until 2032. He must comply with the conditions of his suspended sentence, including completing unpaid work. The Teaching Regulation Agency confirmed there is no mechanism for him to appeal the indefinite prohibition order.
Questions this report answers
01What was Daniel Duhig convicted of?
Duhig was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child on 15 April 2025. The messages included asking if the child was a 'virgin' and stating he wanted to 'join her in bed', as reported by MyLondon.
02What sentence did Daniel Duhig receive?
Duhig received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 100 hours of unpaid work, and must pay a £153 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.
03Can Daniel Duhig ever teach again?
No. The Teaching Regulation Agency imposed an indefinite prohibition order, banning him from teaching in any school, college, youth accommodation or children’s home in England. He cannot apply to have the order lifted.
04When was Daniel Duhig dismissed from Godwin Primary School?
Godwin Primary School dismissed Duhig on 2 May 2024, following his arrest on 8 January 2024. He had been placed on leave on 17 January 2024 and had completed only one term as a teacher.
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