Teacher who called schoolgirl 'stunning' banned

A teacher who referred to a female student as "stunning" and put his hand on another pupil's hips has been banned from the profession.

Ian Johnson was working at Wensleydale School and Sixth Form in North Yorkshire at the time of the allegations between 2020 and 2022, according to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

A panel found Johnson had exhibited "behaviour towards a pupil that was sexually motivated" and breached professional standards.

Julia Polley, headteacher at the school, said Johnson's behaviour was a "serious breach of trust" and that "appropriate action was taken immediately" when staff became aware of the allegations. Johnson left the school in July 2022.

Johnson started working at the school in 2018 when he joined as a food, hospitality and catering teacher, a TRA report said.

The panel was told that two pupils had told the school that Johnson had put his hands on their waists and then said, "I shouldn't have done that".

The following month, two other students reported further concerns regarding Johnson that had made them feel "uncomfortable".

They said Johnson had stood very close to a pupil with his hands either side of her whilst she was sat on a table.

Johnson admitted that he had referred to a Year 11 female pupil at his previous job as being "stunning" or "beautiful," but said the comments had been taken "out of context".

The panel found the allegations against Johnson to be proven and said he had shown "very limited remorse for his conduct".

The report said: "The findings of misconduct are serious, and the conduct displayed would be likely to have a negative impact on the individual's status as a teacher potentially damaging the public perception of the teaching profession."

"This is deeply concerning behaviour and represents a serious breach of the trust placed in those who work with children and young people," Polley said.

"We remain committed to providing a safe, supportive and trusted learning environment for all pupils.

"We will always take concerns seriously and act promptly and appropriately whenever issues are raised."

Johnson was banned from teaching indefinitely, with a review period of five years.

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