Banned for life: School mistress stopped from teaching after engaging in sexual activity with 16-year-old pupil

A 27-year-old school mistress has been
banned from teaching for life after she
invited a 16-year-old school boy to her home
and kissed him.

Heather Bartlett, who taught Geography at
Hitchin Boys' School, was found guilty of
unprofessional conduct after police
cautioned her for engaging in sexual
activity with a teenager.

She was told by a disciplinary panel she
would not be allowed back into a classroom
after admitting to meeting the male pupil on
three separate occasions.

Hitchin Boys' School when she received a
police caution for sexual activity with a
male pupil The National College for Teaching and Leadership also discovered she was cautioned by Hertfordshire Police on 29 January 2013 for sexual activity with a male aged 13 to 17.

The panel said a life-time ban was necessary
in the public interest to maintain
confidence in the teaching profession and to
declare and uphold proper standards of
conduct.

Giving the final decision on behalf of the
Secretary of State for Education, Michael
Gove, Paul Heathcote said: 'Ms Bartlett has
admitted all the allegations and that they
amount to unacceptable professional conduct,
and conduct that may bring the profession
into disrepute. The panel have concluded the
same.

'Ms Bartlett's behaviour was a serious
departure from the personal and professional
conduct standards of the latest Teachers'
Standards, and misconduct which affected the
well-being of the pupil concerned.

'Ms Bartlett's actions involved abuse of a
position of trust and was compounded by her
initial denials on separate occasions to
both the police and the school.'

He said the panel noted the testimonials in
support of Ms Bartlett and found she has
shown insight and remorse.

He continued: 'However, in view of the
seriousness of this case, particularly the
presence of sexual misconduct, I agree with
the panel's recommendation that Ms Bartlett
should be prohibited without the opportunity
to have the sanction reviewed.'

The decision means that Bartlett is
prohibited from teaching indefinitely in any
school, sixth form college, relevant youth
accommodation or children's home in England.
Bartlett, who was employed at the school
from September 2011 until March 2013, has a
right of appeal to the High Court.

Tweet