A TEACHER who sent a "sexual" text message to a pupil's mother, stroked a pupils's leg and had pornography on his school computer has been banned from the classroom for life.
Education Secretary Michael Gove imposed a permanent teaching ban on Nigel Read, 53, after a Department for Education Teaching Agency disciplinary panel found allegations against him of unacceptable professional conduct while employed at Roseland Community College between 2008 and 2010 were proved.
The allegations cited a text of a "sexual nature" to a pupil's mother.
In its findings the panel said: "This case concerns a teacher who has been accused of sending an inappropriate text message of an explicit nature to a student's mother; stroking a student's leg; allowing his college laptop to be used by others contrary to the Acceptable Use Policy of the college; and storing inappropriate material on the laptop."
Referring to the text, sent in 2009, the panel said: "This was a communication between two adults but the content was inappropriate as the text related to a professional matter and should have been drafted on a professional level, not a personal one."
The message had been seen by the recipient's child.
It said it was not able to conclude that the stroking of the student's leg in 2009 was a deliberate act, but that Mr Read accepted that it took place.
Regarding the school laptop, the panel said Mr Read had allowed it to be used by his family and a friend and added: "We have viewed within our papers screenshots showing inappropriate material of a pornographic nature."
Mr Read, it added, had shown no remorse or insight into his behaviour, stating: "There is an ongoing possibility of behaviour of this kind recurring which would put children at risk and the reputation of the profession at risk."
Mr Gove wrote: "This case concerns a number of findings of deliberate misconduct. Mr Read's behaviour had the potential to affect the wellbeing of pupils and it was behaviour that had the potential to bring the profession into disrepute."
He added that due to the seriousness of the allegations Mr Read would not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
He is banned indefinitely from teaching in any school, sixth-form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.
He has a right of appeal to the High Court.
Two deputy head teachers told the panel about internal investigations which led to Mr Read being given a final written warning, then being dismissed from his job.
Mr Read did not attend the panel hearings. No one was available for comment at the school.
