Banned for life: School mistress stopped from teaching after engaging in sexual activity with 16- year-old pupil

A 27-year-old school mistress has been banned from teaching for life after she
invited a 16-year-old school boy to her home and kissed him.
Heather Bartlett, who taught Geography at Hitchin Boys' School, was found guilty of
unprofessional conduct after police cautioned her for engaging in sexual activity with a teenager.

She was told by a disciplinary panel she would not be allowed back into a classroom after admitting to meeting the male pupil
on three separate occasions.
Ban: Heather Bartlett was a teacher at Hitchin Boys' School when she received a police caution for sexual activity with a male pupil The National College for Teaching and
Leadership also discovered she was
cautioned by Hertfordshire Police on 29 January 2013 for sexual activity with a male
aged 13 to 17.

The panel said a life-time ban was
necessary in the public interest to maintain confidence in the teaching profession and
to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct.

Giving the final decision on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, Michael
Gove, Paul Heathcote said: 'Ms Bartlett has admitted all the allegations and that they
amount to unacceptable professional conduct, and conduct that may bring the
profession into disrepute. The panel have concluded the same.
'Ms Bartlett's behaviour was a serious departure from the personal and professional conduct standards of the latest
Teachers' Standards, and misconduct which
affected the well-being of the pupil
concerned.

'Ms Bartlett's actions involved abuse of a position of trust and was compounded by
her initial denials on separate occasions to both the police and the school.' He said the panel noted the testimonials in
support of Ms Bartlett and found she has shown insight and remorse.

He continued: 'However, in view of the seriousness of this case, particularly the
presence of sexual misconduct, I agree with the panel's recommendation that Ms
Bartlett should be prohibited without the opportunity to have the sanction reviewed.'
The decision means that Bartlett is
prohibited from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth
accommodation or children's home in England.

Bartlett, who was employed at the school from September 2011 until March 2013, has
a right of appeal to the High Court.

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