A headmaster who was banned from teaching after carrying out a sex act in front of a pupil is to finally set to be stripped of the MBE he was awarded for services to the teaching profession – nearly five years after he was publicly exposed.
Jonathan Ullmer, 62, a one-time drama teacher was found to have engaged in historic sexual activity with a male pupil by a professional conduct panel.
But attempts to get his MBE taken away because of his disgrace took another four years despite an extensive campaign to have it removed – and the decision is still subject to approval by the King.
All the while, Ullmer has been using the MBE to impress potential employers. On his LinkedIn page where he touts for work, he writes: ‘I have been awarded with an MBE recognising my contributions to education.’
Married Ullmer was struck off in 2019 for pleasuring himself in front of a pupil who he lured into bed.
Jonathan Ullmer (pictured) was struck off as a teacher in 2019 by a conduct panel after a former pupil revealed how he had pleasured himself in front of him and ‘begged’ him to touch his penis
Ullmer, 62, is set to be stripped of his MBE, which he is seen here receiving from Prince William
He groomed the teenager during his time at the Cecil Jones High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, where he worked from 1989 to 2002. He suggested the two of them discuss sex and go out for meals with alcohol and to the cinema to become closer, a teaching tribunal heard.
Ullmer even took the ‘vulnerable boy’ to his Kent flat where the pair shared a bed and the sick teacher started masturbating. He also ‘begged’ the schoolboy to touch his penis and massage him with lubricant.
He would reward the boy with special privileges such as giving him the keys to his office and allowing him to drive his car.
The experience left his victim emotionally scarred and he eventually came forward leading to the case that saw Ullmer struck off in 2019.
The allegations were made after the pupil, known in proceedings as Pupil A, secretly recorded a conversation with his former teacher.
Alan Meyrick, representing the Secretary of State for Education, said Ullmer should be banned from the profession indefinitely.
Mr Meyrick said: ‘The factors that mean a no review period is proportionate are, the sexual misconduct found, the lack of either insight or remorse, and the long term and serious consequences on Pupil A.’
Jonathan Ullmer groomed his victim during his time at the Cecil Jones High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, where he worked from 1989 to 2002.
But when friends, acting on behalf of the victim and with his consent, attempted to get his honour rescinded they came up against what they describe as inertia from the Cabinet Office, the government office responsible for the honours system.
The friends were infuriated by the Government’s slow response to attempts to take away honours – and were concerned Ullmer was using his MBE to tout for work.
They even lobbied Prince William, who had personally given him his gong.
A friend of the victim told MailOnline: ‘The victim in this case is a close friend of mine. We went to school together and I know the devastating emotional impact Ullmer’s abusive behaviour had on him.
‘We thought it would be a simple matter to have his MBE removed but, unbelievably, the Honours Committee has taken four years before finally recommending it to happen.
‘We finally learned that they have at last recommended this earlier this year. And we still have to wait for the King to approve it. This is despite the fact that he is continuing to use his MBE to tout for business to this day.’
He told us: ‘I lobbied the Cabinet Office extensively, as well as writing directly to Gavin Williamson, the then Education Secretary, and the Duke of Cambridge who pinned the MBE to Ullmer’s chest in 2014. But he still has the gong.
‘Ullmer remains a danger to vulnerable young people, using his MBE as a badge that the establishment has endorsed him as trustworthy. I also believe him to be a cunning and dangerous man who has abused his authority for his own gratification.’
Ullmer’s LinkedIn profile still touts his MBE, which he received for contributions to education
Ullmer mentions the award on his LinkedIn, but not his sexual behaviour.
It reads: ‘Jonathan Ullmer operates as a senior leader, change influencer and ambassador of education and more on an international scale. During my career, I have enabled outstanding performance across a range of institutions and have established pioneering organisations overseas to achieve the same. I have been awarded with an MBE recognising my contributions to education.’
He also calls himself ‘Jonathan Ullmer MBE’ on his CV.
The friend of his victim added: ‘I know the fact that Ullmer has still not been stripped of his MBE causes continued distress to his victim.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘Forfeiture action is confidential and we cannot comment on whether or not specific cases are being considered by the committee.’
Mr Ullmer was a headteacher in Kazakhstan when the allegations came to light in 2017, but left the school after agreeing a settlement.
