Teacher who let pupil stay overnight at home sent 'sexually suggestive' texts
A female teacher has been struck off after letting a pupil sleep at her home and sending her inappropriate texts.
Hellen Maiden admitted to breaching professional boundaries in what was branded an "inappropriate relationship" with the student while teaching at Joseph Whitaker School in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, back in 2015. The 49-year-old was banned from the profession indefinitely in a Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) panel.
Panellists heard how Ms Maiden, who started work at the school in 2013, held the pupil's hand and bought gifts for her at the time. She was later arrested in 2016 after their relationship came to light through letters, but police took no further action.
A report published last month by the TRA revealed Ms Maiden failed to maintain proper professional boundaries" with the pupil, who was described as having "vulnerabilities". She had also allowed the girl to babysit for her and stay overnight at her home, the report said.
Texts between her personal number and the pupil "referenced sexual language and suggestive behaviour". Concerns were raised by the girls' parents about the nature of their relationship, the panel was told, with the teacher having slept in the same room as her in July 2015 and making references to "snuggles" in letters.
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The report added: "Whilst it was not alleged that Mrs Maiden's actions were sexually motivated, at the very least they presented a risk of feelings of dependency on the part of the pupil and a clear risk that her actions may not have been in the pupil's best interests." The panel said "this was misconduct at the serious end of spectrum, particularly having regard to the absence of insight, regret and remorse on the part of Mrs Maiden".
It was found she also lied about needing time off work to go to a funeral, instead attending an event with the pupil. Ms Maiden resigned in September 2016 before the case was referred to the TRA in January the following year.
The Joseph Whitaker School and East Midlands Education Trust said in a joint statement an investigation was "immediately undertaken" by the previous head teacher as soon as the school became aware of concerns. They said: "The matter was investigated by the police, the local authority designated officer and our own designated safeguarding lead.
"Referrals were then made to all the relevant authorities and agencies. The school would seek to reassure all parents/carers of students within our care that we take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously, hence the action which was taken at the time."
Ms Maiden is now banned indefinitely from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England after admitting the allegations and agreeing her behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional conduct. David Oatley, from the TRA panel, said in the report: "In view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Mrs Maiden shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach."
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