By Teacher receives life ban after engaging in sexual relationship with pupil
A Scunthorpe teacher has received a life ban from teaching after engaging in a sexual relationship with a former pupil.
In a public hearing the Teaching Regulating Authority heard how Mark Thompson, 31, described the former pupil as his “little slut” and “little puppet” in messages sent on social media.
Mr Thompson, who did not attend the hearing, worked for St Bede’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Scunthorpe and shared explicit messages with a pupil on social media from December 2018 to May 2019.
The hearing detailed the nature of his messages, with him sating he ‘liked that she was 17’ and that he ‘wanted to get her drunk and/or high.’
The student, referred to as Pupil A in the report, bravely gave her evidence to the board and stated that she ‘liked’ Mr Thompson but looking back on the reality now, she ‘hated him’.
According to the report, she recalled the events that happened in person at the hearing and was cross examined whilst Mr Thompson was not in attendance, no reasoning has been given for his absence.
The academy launched an investigation in 2019 during which Mr Thompson denied having any kind of relationship with the girl.
The school referred the matter to the TRA after Mr Thompson resigned from the school in September.
He later admitted that a sexual relationship had taken place, but denied that he had used the words the girl claimed or that drugs had been mentioned.
The former pupil was praised for her bravery in appearing before them to give evidence, providing on what they described as honest answers on details which were embarrassing for her.
In their final decision the TRA wrote : “This means that Mr Mark Thompson is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or
children’s home in England.”
“Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Thompson shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.”
