The court heard of a ‘highly inappropriate culture’ at that time
17:41, 10 Feb 2026Updated 17:42, 10 Feb 2026
Notre Dame School (Image: Google )
An all-girl Catholic school has said it is “incredibly sorry” for the harm caused by a former teacher who groomed and had sex with two pupils in the 2000s, admitting there were “failings”.
Plymouth CAST – the trust which oversees Notre Dame school – has also said it has now commissioned an independent review of safeguarding arrangements in the wake of the police investigation and conviction of former geography teacher Anthony Redmond.
Redmond, aged 54, from Fort Austin Avenue, was convicted following a trial at Plymouth Crown Court. The jury found him guilty by unanimous decision of five counts of abuse of a position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with one girl aged under 18, two counts of abuse of a position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with a second girl and one count of indecency with a child at a hotel.
He continued to work at Notre Dame School and sixth form in Plymouth until being suspended when the allegations were made several years ago.
The first offence relating to the first victim took place at a hotel when she was aged 15, with a second occurring at a party shortly after she turned 16. The second victim, who was 16 when Redmond’s abuse started, spoke of how he would routinely pick her up so they could engage in sexual activity, with abuse taking place at his home, a hotel and inside the school.
During the trial, which began in December 2025 and stretched into January this year, the court heard how Redmond had performed sex acts in locations including a school cupboard and the school staffroom. The court heard that Redmond took the virginity of both his victims.
Anthony Redmond(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)
The jury at Plymouth Crown Court heard from one of the victims who said she was left feeling “used and worthless” by Redmond, who had denied the accusations against him.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Kelly Scrivener said that in his pre-sentence report Redmond had spoken of a “different culture” back then. She said he was wrong to make that claim, stating it was illegal at the time.
One of Redmond’s victims read out a statement to the court via a video link saying that she felt there were “systemic failures” at the school where Redmond was a geography teacher, later adding: “I should have been protected.” She went on to state that during her “most vulnerable years no-one within the school showed the strength to put me first”.
The other victim said in her impact statement she was “angry that he was able to exist in an all-girls’ school and force his perverted predatory behaviour on me. Geography teacher, a pianist, a Catholic role model – all a cover-up for his disgusting intentions which I endured”.
She claimed that those who knew – or suspected anything – at the school “turned the other way”, adding that in her “most vulnerable years no-one within the school showed the strength to put me first.” PlymouthLive has spoken to others who felt the same way.
Handing Redmond a jail sentence of three years and nine months, Judge Robert Linford told the court today (February 10): “Evidence was given that there was, at this time, a highly inappropriate culture of older girls being taken out or invited out by older male teachers, of whom you were one, and I say this because it was a culture to which you contributed.”
School’s statement
In response to today’s sentencing of their former teacher, a spokesperson for the school’s trust, Plymouth CAST, told PlymouthLive: “We recognise the court’s recent verdict and sentencing in relation to serious offences committed by Anthony Redmond.
Anthony Redmond – Plymouth school teacher convicted of abusing position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with two female pupils
“We are incredibly sorry to the victims for the harm caused by these distressing events. Coming forward in cases like this is never easy and takes a great deal of strength and courage and we continue to hold the victims and everyone affected in our thoughts.
“It is clear that there were failings at the school when these incidents took place, which we deeply regret. We are absolutely clear that behaviour like this has no place in our society and regardless of whether any incidents occurred before or after the school transferred to the Trust in April 2014, we remain committed to doing everything we can to uphold our duty of care to our community.
“This includes investigating any concerns raised online or with the school directly, and taking the necessary actions with the support of the appropriate authorities. It also includes keeping our safeguarding procedures under regular review.
“As part of this the Trust has commissioned an independent review of safeguarding arrangements to ensure best-practice is embedded and that the safety and wellbeing of our community continues to always be front of mind in everything we do.
“This will be conducted by a national organisation which has expertise in independently reviewing the effectiveness of safeguarding procedures within education settings. We will be seeking the views of our school community as part of this process and will share more information in due course.
“We appreciate that this has been a challenging time and so we would like to reassure our students and families that we have been and continue to treat this matter extremely seriously, with the welfare of those we serve remaining our absolute priority.
Notre Dame School in Plymouth(Image: Google Maps)
“While we continue to engage directly with our school community to support them through this period, we encourage anyone in need of support to contact the school’s safeguarding team or the authorities.”
Anyone with information in relation to the investigation can contact police via their website or by calling 101 quoting 50260008980.
Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Luke Portch commended the “courage and strength” shown by the victims in coming forward, adding: “Their willingness to report what happened has not only led to justice in this case, but will hopefully help others who have been victims of abuse to come forward.
“The passage of time does not lessen the seriousness of these offences, and this outcome demonstrates that reports of non-recent abuse will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. If anyone has experienced abuse, whether recently or in the past, I would encourage them to contact the police. Support is available, and you will be listened to.”
If you have been the victim of rape or sexual abuse this can be reported via the same contact methods as above, or by 999 if in immediate danger.
If you don’t want to talk to police, or if you want extra support, there are lots of people who can help. Support is available if you need help or assistance relating to sexual assault:
National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Independent Sexual Advisor Service: 03458 121212Victim Care Unit: 01392 475900Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services: 01392 204 174In an emergency, always call 999 and in a non-emergency please visit www.dc.police.uk or telephone 101.
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