By Karim Hammam
A teacher who drove to a pupil's house in the early hours and later entered a sexual relationship with her has been prohibited from teaching indefinitely. Mark Fletcher, 45, was found to have behaved unacceptably toward a student, identified as Pupil A, while teaching at Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College in Swindon in 2019.
Misconduct details
A Teaching Regulation Agency panel found that Fletcher emailed the pupil outside school hours and sent a letter stating she had "a real effect" on him. One email sent at 1.44am on 30 August 2019 proposed meeting up, and the pupil said Fletcher drove to her house around 1am that night. They spoke until about 6am, during which he asked her not to tell anyone.
Relationship timeline
The panel heard that between August and December 2019 the interactions were primarily emotional, with occasional hand-holding. The relationship became sexual in December 2019, with physical activity often occurring late at night in Fletcher's car. The pupil disclosed the conduct to the school around June 2023, after the relationship had ended.
Panel decision
The panel concluded that Fletcher focused on technicalities rather than showing genuine remorse. He has been banned from teaching anywhere in England and is unable to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
