Teacher banned from the classroom after messaging pupil on MSN
A teacher has been banned from the classroom for at least two years after being caught in an online relationship with a pupil – using a pseudonym on social media to conceal his identity.
Paul Mansell, aged 32, was found by a teacher's disciplinary panel to have exchanged messages with a girl on social media, using the false name 'Steve Baker'. The panel also found he had exchanged messages with another girl, referred to as Pupil B, via MSN Messenger.
Mr Mansell taught at Friary School, Lichfield, and had previously between 2006 and 2007 at Perryfields School, Oldbury, after studying at the University of Wolverhampton.
The panel struck Mr Mansell off for two years. The ban, imposed on behalf of Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, follows a National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) hearing in Coventry.
However, it was made clear that it will not be lifted automatically and that he will have to convince another NCTL panel that he is fit to return to teaching.
Mr Mansell was cleared of allegations that he asked a girl pupil if she would like him to send her a picture of his genitals on webcam and whether she was allowed to have boys in her bedroom.
He was also cleared of touching the chest of another girl pupil, kissing her and sending her a topless image of himself.
Imposing the ban NCTL deputy director, Alan Meyrick, said the allegations which had been upheld by the panel amounted to 'unacceptable professional conduct'.
He added: "His misconduct was of a serious nature falling significantly short of the standards of behaviour expected of a teacher."
He said that Mr Mansell was 'complicit in creating an account which operated under a pseudonym which could only be to conceal the ongoing relationship with Pupil A and which he knew to be wrong'.
He added: "Mr Mansell was in breach of the Teachers' Standards.
"He failed to treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect and he failed to observe proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher's professional position.
"In addition he failed to have regard for the need to safeguard pupils' wellbeing."
He said that in the circumstances an 'indefinite' ban with the opportunity for Mr Mansell to seek to have it lifted after two years was both 'appropriate and proportionate'.
Mr Mansell can appeal to the High Court against the findings and the decision to the ban him.
