Benjamin Phelps, a former deputy boarding housemaster at Bede's School in East Sussex, has been banned from teaching indefinitely after being found guilty of serious misconduct involving inappropriate behavior with a pupil. According to multiple reports, Phelps repeatedly declared his love for the student and engaged in physical contact including hugs and kisses on the cheek.
Key Takeaways
A teacher at an East Sussex boarding school has been banned from teaching indefinitely after being found guilty of serious misconduct involving inappropriate behavior with a pupil. Benjamin Phelps sent explicit messages, met the student outside lessons, and engaged in physical contact including kisses on the cheek.
- Teacher Benjamin Phelps banned indefinitely for misconduct with a pupil at Bede's School
- Phelps sent inappropriate messages to the pupil via Google Chat and WhatsApp
- The panel found that Phelps did not report an attempted kiss by the student, despite accepting there had been kisses on the cheek
The disciplinary panel found that Phelps met with the pupil outside lessons, sent them inappropriate messages via Google Chat and WhatsApp, and requested they skip school to 'eat in the car' together. The panel said one of his WhatsApp messages read: "I hope you've had a good night, I'm falling asleep with my phone in my hand. I love you and wish you sweet dream!! Contact me about anything xxxxxx."
Phelps was fired from the school in April 2024 following an investigation into his relationship with the student. The Teaching Regulation Agency struck him off earlier this year, publishing its report on Friday.
The panel found that Phelps did not reciprocate a kiss attempt by the pupil and attempted to return their relationship to "a more professional footing". However, he did not report the incident. An allegation that he pursued a 'course of conduct akin to grooming' was not proved.
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