A science teacher who winked at students and replied to a pupil's Instagram post with a flame emoji has been allowed to continue in the profession.

David Coleman, who taught at Leigh Academy in Dartford, appeared before a teaching misconduct panel, where he admitted calling girls "beautiful", "gorgeous", and "pretty".

The 36-year-old, who is an ex-international discus thrower and a member of the Team GB 2014 Winter Olympics bobsleigh team, was employed at the school from 2017 until he resigned in 2020.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) launched an investigation into the former Olympian's behaviour after concerns were raised by the Academy.

A three-day misconduct hearing took place last month when Mr Coleman denied 'liking' or commenting on the photos, saying that his profile had been compromised by an unknown user.

But his "unpersuasive" arguments were dismissed by the panel.

They stressed it was "more likely than not he was responsible" and that he failed to adhere to advice from the school's principal on how to use social media.

The accusations against Mr Coleman date from July 2018 to November 2019, which include him knowingly following three pupils on social media and saying "bye, love you" to teenage schoolgirls.

His social media page also 'liked' a photo of a pupil in her bedroom, and commented on another with a flame emoji.

Last Tuesday , it was decided on behalf of the Secretary of State, that a teaching prohibition order was "not proportionate or in the public interest".

The TRA's Sarah Buxcey said: "I consider that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession."

She said she had given Mr Coleman's demonstration of regret and remorse "considerable weight" in reaching her decision.

Ms Buxcey also considered factors such as the extent to which a prohibition order would safeguard pupils, and the impact of a prohibition order on Mr Coleman himself.

She added: "A prohibition order would prevent Mr Coleman from teaching. A prohibition order would also clearly deprive the public of his contribution to the profession for the period that it is in force."