Teacher banned after forming inappropriate relationship with student

A teacher has been banned from teaching after forming an inappropriate relationship with a student whilst working at a school in Heywood.

Bethany Woodcock, a former maths teacher at Hollingworth Learning Trust at Newhouse Academy, was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct between September and November 2021.

Miss Woodcock – who had worked at Newhouse since April 2020 – resigned from the school on 28 February 2022.

The academy began an investigation in November 2021 into Miss Woodcock’s communications with a pupil including to determine whether she had failed to notify the academy of a serious safeguarding concern through its safeguarding processes.

A Teaching Regulation Agency hearing took place on 27-28 June; Miss Woodcock was not present and not represented.

Responding to allegations, Miss Woodcock admitted she engaged in “over-familiar and inappropriate communications” with the pupil via email and failed to report safeguarding concerns, including the pupil’s feelings towards her, but denied hugging the pupil.

The panel was shown evidence of a number of requests for hugs from the pupil: Miss Woodcock stated she did not give the pupil a hug but “put a supportive arm around their shoulder.”

It was noted that some of the communication took place outside school hours, including late at night/early hours of the morning, weekends and during school holidays.

By communicating with the pupil in “an over-familiar and inappropriate manner”, the panel said Miss Woodcock “posed a risk” to the pupil.

Miss Woodcock told the pupil “you are the sweetest” and said the pupil was “not allowed to shut me out,” the panel heard, noting the teacher “relished the flattery” received from the pupil and “appeared at times to emotionally blackmail” the pupil.

The panel heard how Miss Woodcock told the investigation meeting she was “worried” about how she would be perceived, given that the pupil had a crush on her and found Miss Woodstock “really cute.”

She mentioned how she felt compromised, concerned how colleagues would perceive her, and that they may discriminate against her. She also claimed she “was like this with everyone and it was her style of communication” although a witness confirmed this was not the case.

The panel decided Miss Woodcock was guilty of “unacceptable professional conduct” as she ‘put her own interests before the pupil’s needs’ and ‘prevented action being taken to support the pupil via the school’s safeguarding processes in a timely manner’.

Miss Woodcock also admitted during the investigation meeting that she did not believe she had followed the Guidance for Safe Working Practice and that in terms of safeguarding, she did not meet that part of the Teachers’ Standards, which she “regretted.”

The panel was satisfied that it “was more likely than not that Miss Woodcock would have known how the safeguarding process operated” and that she had received “sufficient training to understand that there were clear safeguarding duties” regarding the pupil’s feelings towards her.

Miss Woodstock told the investigation meeting that she wished she had reported the information but was “scared about losing her job.”

The panel noted Miss Woodcock’s statement provided as part of the investigation said she was “upset and disappointed with myself” and “annoyed and embarrassed to have found myself in such a position.”

The panel also determined that Miss Woodcock placed blame on the pupil after stating the pupil was “hounding” her, and how her comments reflecting a lack of concern for the pupil did not show the ‘level of insight or remorse expected’.

Due to this, the panel said it was concerned there could be instances of repetition.

It also said it received “no evidence” Miss Woodcock had a previously good history, nor had she demonstrated ‘exceptionally high standards in both her personal and professional conduct’.

The panel added “no references or testimonies were provided from any colleagues that could attest to her abilities as a teacher.”

As a result, the panel has banned Miss Woodcock from teaching indefinitely with a three-year review period.

Decision maker David Oatley concluded: “The lack of insight and genuine remorse shown by Miss Woodcock meant that the panel could not be satisfied that there would not be repeated inappropriate communications or failure to follow the relevant safeguarding processes and procedures.

“In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession. A published decision, in light of the circumstances in this case, that is not backed up by full remorse and insight, does not in my view satisfy the public interest requirement concerning public confidence in the profession.

“For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest in order to achieve the intended aims of a prohibition order. A three-year review period is required to satisfy the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.

“This means that Miss Bethany Woodcock is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.”

Miss Woodcock may apply for the ban to be set aside after three years; if she does apply, a panel will consider the application. Without a successful appeal, she remains banned from teaching indefinitely.

A spokesperson for Newhouse Academy said: "As a Trust, our responsibilities for safeguarding children are paramount above all else. We always follow statutory guidance including Keeping Children Safe in Education."

Miss Woodcock could not be contacted for comment.