Teacher who drove to pupil's house in night banned

A teacher who told a pupil she had "a real effect" on him before later entering into a sexual relationship with her has been struck off.

Mark Fletcher, 45, behaved "inappropriately" towards a pupil at Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 2019, including driving to her home in the the night and emailing her outside school hours, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel found.

The relationship became sexual after the pupil left the school. Fletcher was suspended in July 2023 after she disclosed the relationship. He disputed all allegations.

A TRA professional conduct panel found his actions amounted to misconduct of a serious nature and ruled he should be banned.

Fletcher, who joined the school in September 2009, sent the pupil numerous emails from his personal account, many during the night or in the early hours of the morning, the panel found.

The pupil said Fletcher drove to her house at about 01:00 BST on 30 August 2019 and she "snuck out" to meet him. They talked until about 06:00 BST.

The panel heard that the pupil said Fletcher had told her: "You're not gonna tell anyone are you?" When she replied "no", he responded: "Good, I trust you," or words to that effect.

Emails sent in July and August 2019 included Fletcher telling the pupil: "It is rare to meet someone who changes who you are", and "Do you actually want to meet up and talk... Free most days from midnight... I can do tomorrow/the early hours of Saturday".

The pupil said that until December 2019, their relationship involved nothing physical beyond hugs, but included regular emotional conversations about how they felt about each other.

She said they began engaging in sexual activity that month, meeting late at night in Fletcher's car.

Police investigated allegations against Fletcher but took no further action. The case was referred to the TRA on 22 November 2023.

The panel report said Fletcher made no admissions and the case had proceeded on the basis that he disputed all allegations.

"The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Fletcher amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession," it concluded.

"Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Mr Fletcher was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct."

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