A former Swindon teacher has been banned from teaching for life after developing a ‘sexual’ relationship with a pupil.
Mark Fletcher, who worked at Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College, was found to have crossed professional boundaries by sending personal messages to the girl and meeting her late at night.
A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel heard that Fletcher contacted the pupil using his personal email address in July and August 2019, often during the early hours of the morning.
In one message, he told her: “You have had a real effect on me”.
The panel also found that Fletcher drove to the pupil’s home at around 1am in August 2019 and met her outside school.
During the meeting, he asked her: “You’re not gonna tell anyone are you?”
Fletcher also asked the pupil whether she found him attractive, with the panel concluding that his behaviour demonstrated an intention to develop a romantic relationship with her.
The relationship later became sexual in December 2019, after the pupil had left the school.
The panel concluded that Fletcher had developed a romantic and sexual relationship with the former pupil, having crossed professional boundaries while she was still at school.
His behaviour was found to be sexually motivated, dishonest and a serious breach of the trust placed in teachers.
The allegations came to light in June 2023, when the former pupil reported the relationship to the school.
Fletcher was suspended the following month and his employment was terminated in October 2023.
Police also investigated the allegations, but no formal action was taken.
Fletcher did not attend the TRA hearing, held between Monday 5 and Wednesday 7 October, and did not admit the allegations.
The panel found all six allegations proven and concluded that his behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.
In a decision dated 9 October, Fletcher was banned from teaching indefinitely, with no right to apply to have the ban lifted.
The decision means he cannot teach in schools, sixth form colleges or certain other settings involving children in England.
In a letter to parents and carers, Ridgeway School said it took “immediate action” when the allegations were disclosed in 2023, including notifying local authorities and suspending Fletcher.
Headteacher Helen Buttery and Executive Headteacher Adrian Cush acknowledged that the findings “may come as distressing news” to families.
They said the school’s “top priority will always be ensuring the safety of your children and our whole school community”.
The school also pledged to work with local authorities to ensure safeguarding remains a priority across all school activities.
Parents and carers with concerns about the case have been encouraged to contact the school.
