Former teacher at Newport school banned from classrooms for inappropriate relationship with pupil

Jennifer Cann was an IT teacher at Burton Borough School but a professional conduct panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership ruled that she failed to maintain professional boundaries.

A hearing took place earlier this month in Coventry and a report outlining the outcome has now been published.

The panel found that between 2014 and 2016 the 30-year-old engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student, which included physical contact.

It also found that she met with the student outside of school hours and provided two of her classes with the solution to the problem for their controlled assessments.

According to the report, Miss Cann admitted the allegations.

A school investigation report and interview notes revealed that Miss Cann met with a pupil at the school, referred to as Student A, outside of school time, in her car, on numerous occasions and sometimes with nobody else present.

The report said that Miss Cann stated the purpose of the meetings was to mentor Student A, although she had been warned by the headteacher against such behaviour.

The report said Miss Cann admitting hugging the student, but there was no suggestion of any sexual behaviour.

The panel found she had breached the Teachers’ Standards.

The report, which is signed by decision maker Alan Meyrick on behalf of the Secretary of State, said: "The panel is satisfied that Miss Cann is guilty of unacceptable professional conduct."

The panel recommended to the Secretary of State that a prohibition order should be served on Miss Cann, banning her from teaching indefinitely.

She can apply for it to be lifted in two years time but the decision would have to be made by another panel.

The report said Miss Cann began her NQT induction year at Burton Borough School in 2014 following the completion of her PGCE teacher training course.

She began mentoring a pupil outside of the school and without the school’s knowledge in September 2015.

Miss Cann passed her NQT induction in December 2015, but the school launched an investigation into allegations that she had provided pupils with solutions to controlled assessments and she was suspended in April last year.

She received a final written warning for gross misconduct in June 2016.

But later that month a safeguarding referral was made following sightings of Miss Cann with Student A outside of the school.

She resigned on July 15 last year.

Christine Carter, head teacher at Burton Borough School, said: “The member of staff in question worked for Burton Borough School from September 1, 2014 until June 15, 2016.

"We investigated the matter and held a disciplinary hearing when we became aware of the issue because the allegations were a potential safeguarding concern. The member of staff resigned before the disciplinary process could be completed.

" However, our governors continued with and concluded the process therefore complying with safeguarding protocols.”