Tutor banned from teaching for life for sexual relationship with schoolgirl
A 41 year old deputy headteacher who had a sexual relationship with a former pupil has been banned from teaching for life.
Teacher Rebecca Smith also invited the student on a school trip when she was under 18 and hid her presence from all those involved, a misconduct panel heard.
During the hearing, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel heard how Smith shared a bed and room with the girl, slept with her head on the former pupil’s lap during a coach trip, held hands, rubbed sun cream into her back and bought alcohol for her on various occasions between May and June 2017.
When the coaches returned to Lyndon school in Solihull, the ex-pupil had got off half a mile earlier so she would not be seen by the head teacher.
Addressing the panel, the ex-student said Smith had asked her for her phone number in May 2016 when she was still at the school – and by December 2016 their relationship had become sexual after she left the school but was still aged 17.
The relationship lasted until January 2018 and Smith called her ‘sexy’ and ‘boo’ in messages.
During this time, Smith bought her gifts including clothing and a phone, took her out for dinner, allowed her to visit Smith’s flat, told her that she ‘loved’ her and paid for trips for her.
The panel ruled that Smith’s actions were sexually motivated and that she acted dishonestly while denying any wrongdoing and refusing to accept responsibility for her actions.
She was in a position of trust, was a role model and had shown no remorse, the panel said.
Smith was not present or represented at the hearing.
She had worked at the school for nine years before concerns arose in 2016 about her relationship with the girl, who left after being in Year 11.
The police investigated but took no further action and in July 2018 Smith was referred to the TRA by the school.
Decision maker Marc Cavey said because of the serious nature of the allegations the ban would be indefinite.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.