Javier Martin-Navas

Javier Martin-Navas, aged 35 and residing in Deptford, London, was employed as the Head of Modern Languages at North Bridge House Senior School in Canonbury when he was arrested on 1 February 2022 at his home. Police discovered 51 indecent photographs of children and five indecent videos on his devices, including two Category A videos depicting the most severe forms of child sexual abuse.

Martin-Navas left his position at the school the day after his arrest. In March 2023, he pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent photographs of a child at Bromley Magistrates’ Court. Last April, he was sentenced to six months in custody, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity, 100 hours of unpaid work, and to register on the sex offenders’ register for seven years.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) conducted a hearing on 5 November 2023 to evaluate Martin-Navas's suitability to teach, which he did not attend. Decision maker Marc Cavey determined that an indefinite prohibition order was necessary to protect children from any potential risk posed by him. A spokesperson for North Bridge House Canonbury welcomed the TRA's decision, stating: “We welcome the decision of the Teaching Regulation Agency to prohibit Mr Martin-Navas from teaching indefinitely. As soon as we were made aware of this matter, Mr Martin-Navas left our employment immediately. We are thankful that none of his activities affected anyone in our community. We take safeguarding seriously, and our procedures are regularly inspected to ensure we are always following best practice.”

The case was reported by News Shopper, highlighting the swift action taken by the school and authorities in response to the serious nature of the offences involving child sexual abuse material.