Teacher banned over inappropriate relationship
GoogleA teacher has been banned from working in schools indefinitely after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a pupil she had previously taught.
Joanna Broad-Reeder, a teacher at St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy, Stoke-on-Trent, was a supply teacher at another school when she first met the pupil.
A professional conduct panel found that between September 2022 and January 2024, she exchanged phone numbers and messages of a personal nature with the pupil, who was under 18.
A report that recommended banning her said: "The conduct of Ms Broad-Reeder fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."
It added: "Ms Broad-Reeder stated that as she was no longer at the school, she foolishly thought that as it was a friendship, it would not be deemed inappropriate.
"The panel considered that given her length of service in the profession, Ms Broad-Reeder should have known that her relationship with Pupil A was inappropriate."
In an email to her lawyers, Ms Broad-Reeder said: "I am filled with regret and grief at the loss of my career, the loss of my good reputation, the shame and the loss of a friendship I hoped would be with me till I die."
She also said: "I agree that it now seems as unprofessional, and totally accept that some of my actions were not best thought through."
"I understand completely why I have been seen to bring the teaching profession into disrepute, although this was never my intent," she added.
These statements "did not show true insight or remorse", the panel found, and said that Ms Broad-Reeder's focus was on the impact her actions had had on herself, rather than on the pupil.
Ms Broad-Reeder cannot apply to have the order set aside for a period of four years.
If she does apply, a panel will meet to consider whether the prohibition order should be set aside, but without a successful application, she would remain prohibited from teaching indefinitely.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.