A former physical education teacher has pleaded not guilty to multiple allegations of sexual activity with three children, but admitted engaging in sexually explicit online communication with one of the alleged victims.
Bronwen James, 29, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday facing 12 charges relating to alleged sexual offences committed over three years while she worked at two secondary schools in Wiltshire and Hampshire.
Allegations Across Two Schools
Prosecutors allege that while employed as a PE teacher at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham and later at Bitterne Park School in Southampton, James engaged in sexual activity with two girls, aged 14 and 15, and a 16-year-old boy.
She is accused of six counts of sexual activity with the girls, four counts relating to the boy, and offences of sexual communication and making indecent images.
The alleged incidents are said to have taken place between 2019 and 2022, overlapping her time at both schools.
Courtroom Pleas
During Monday’s hearing, James denied all charges of sexual activity with the two female pupils and the male student. She also denied engaging in sexual communication with one of the girls, who was under the age of 16 at the time.
However, she admitted one charge of engaging in sexual communication with the other girl, aged between 13 and 15, during the period between 2019 and 2021.
Court records also list a charge of making an indecent photograph of a child under “Category C” – the least severe level for such offences – for which James entered no plea.
Bail Conditions
Judge Richard Parkes KC granted James bail on strict conditions. She is banned from contacting any of the three complainants directly or indirectly and is prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.
A provisional trial date was fixed for 27 April 2026 at Winchester Crown Court.
Police Investigation
Wiltshire Police said the charges were brought after a detailed investigation into allegations involving underage pupils.
In a statement, a force spokesperson said:
“A former teacher is due to appear before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (09/07) having been charged with sexual offences relating to three children. Bronwen James, 29, from Chippenham, taught PE at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham and Bitterne Park School in Southampton. She faces charges relating to sexual activity and communications against three children over a three-year period.”
Community and Safeguarding Measures
Both schools are understood to have cooperated fully with the police during the investigation. Parents were informed of the arrest and advised that safeguarding protocols had been activated immediately.
Education safeguarding officers are believed to have conducted a review of policies at both schools to ensure additional protective measures for pupils. Neither school has commented publicly while legal proceedings are ongoing.
James, who no longer works in education, has not issued any public statement in response to the charges.
If convicted, she faces a possible prison sentence and could be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, restricting her contact with minors and use of electronic devices.
M10News Crime Desk | Contact: crime@m10news.com
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