Teacher banned for relationship with student

A music teacher who formed an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a pupil has been banned from classroom teaching in England for at least five years.

The National College for Teaching and Leadership professional conduct panel has revealed it has found that between January 2010 and May 2011 Robert Steadman, 48, engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student – known as Student C - which included text messages, inappropriate physical contact and a meeting in May, 2011, outside school.

Steadman was found guilty by the panel of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ whilst employed as a part–time teacher at Lady Manners School, in Bakewell.

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Panel chairman Brian Hawkins said: “We are satisfied text messages were exchanged between Mr Steadman and Student C over a significant period and that a meeting took place in Mr Steadman’s car on May 14, 2011.”

Steadman admitted sending texts and emails to Student C, claiming the majority had been about arranging lifts and baby sitting, according to the panel.

The panel also found Steadman allowed Student C to borrow his school laptop which led to a claim she had discovered porn images of women on the computer which was confirmed by an investigation.

Lady Manners head teacher Duncan Meikle said the school followed guidance and referred the matter to the panel with due regard for safeguarding its pupils.

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