16 February 2024 , 16:56
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A teacher has been banned from her job after sending emails with kisses to a pupil and encouraging them to drink alcohol.
Science teacher Laura Martland worked at Penketh High School in Warrington from March 2007 until she was sacked for misconduct in September 2021. A Teacher Regulation Agency panel met last month to discuss allegations made against the 39-year-old, who was accused of not having a professional relationship with a pupil back in 2020 -2021.
The teacher didn't attend the panel hearing, which was held in her absence. The findings were reported this week. She was found to have demonstrated "unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute" and was handed a prohibition order, banning her from the profession indefinitely - with a review period to be held after five years.
The panel found that Miss Martland had exchanged emails with a pupil - referred to as Pupil A - which were sent out of school hours, had personal photographs attached and contained an 'x' indicating kisses. She also provided the pupil, who was a child at the time, with advice around relationships and encouraged them to drink alcohol.
A second key allegation that the panel found to be proved was that Miss Martland failed to notify the school's safeguarding lead that Pupil A had disclosed information relating to the consumption of alcohol at the earliest opportunity. The issues began to come to light when Martland contacted someone referred to in the report as Witness A on June 10 2021, with concerns about Pupil A.
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Witness A told the panel that she asked Miss Martland to provide a copy of the emails between her and Pupil A. She stated that Miss Martland had copied and pasted emails into a Word document, but it "seemed that there were more to the emails."
After the school had concerns about Miss Martland not disclosing all the emails she exchanged with Pupil A, she was suspended on June 11 2021 pending an investigation, LiverpoolECHO reports. During the investigation, the school gained access to Miss Martland and Pupil A's email accounts.
The panel report states: "It was noted that the email exchanges had taken place over a number of months, initially they were school related but developed to a personal nature over time. Between March to June 2021, the emails covered a number of topics including personal matters shared by both Miss Martland and Pupil A. Of concern, Pupil A had made disclosures to Miss Martland which included underage drinking."
The panel was told by Witness A that during the Covid-19 lockdown, it was common for pupils to communicate with teachers via email outside of school. However, the school had implemented clear guidance for communication. The panel also heard from Pupil A, who said that they started communicating by email with Miss Martland about work, but as time went on, they started discussing personal things. Pupil A stated that they would email each other every day, and "there wasn’t really ever a break in the emails."
Pupil A told the panel that they recognised the relationship had become 'unprofessional.' In its report, the panel noted: "Miss Martland had not engaged with the TRA proceedings in a meaningful way. In particular, the panel was not provided with any evidence from Miss Martland and therefore she did not demonstrate any insight or remorse for her actions."
The panel concluded that the conduct of Miss Martland amounted to misconduct of a serious nature, which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. The report added: "Accordingly, the Panel was satisfied that Miss Martland was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute."
The panel agreed to hand Miss Martland a prohibition order, banning her from teaching in any school, sixth form, college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. The ban is indefinite but can be reviewed after five years.
In a statement, The Challenge Academy Trust, which runs Penketh High School, said: "Laura Martland commenced employment at Penketh High School in March 2007. In June 2021, the academy identified a serious safeguarding concern relating to Miss Martland, who was subsequently suspended from duty.
With safeguarding being the academy's first priority, a full disciplinary investigation was launched. Miss Martland was dismissed in September 2021 following a disciplinary hearing. In line with its statutory obligations, the academy liaised with the local authority designated officer throughout this case and referred the matter to both the Disclosure and Barring Service and Teaching Regulation Agency."