Cornwall Teacher Banned for Life After Sexual Relationship with Pupil
A Cornwall teacher has been banned for life after admitting to a sexual relationship with a student
Cornwall, Lucy Lapthorne, Teaching Regulation Agency, Sexual Misconduct
Cornwall: A teacher named Lucy Lapthorne has been banned from teaching for life. She had an inappropriate relationship with a student, which she admitted to. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) made this decision after a misconduct hearing.
The hearing revealed that Lucy, 37, had been involved with a pupil for several months. She even received a caution from the police for her actions, which shows she recognized her wrongdoing. The TRA stated that her behavior was not just unprofessional but also sexually motivated.
This hearing took place on June 17, 2024, and the report was published in December. Lucy accepted that her actions brought disrepute to the teaching profession. The panel emphasized that teachers must uphold high standards and act within the law.
Sarah Buxcey from the TRA expressed that Lucy’s conduct fell far below what is expected from teachers. She noted that if such behavior went unpunished, it would undermine public trust in the profession.
Lucy did express remorse, saying she felt “truly ashamed” of how her actions affected the student. She claimed to have grown as a person and wanted to make a positive impact in the future. However, her apologies didn’t change the outcome.
In the end, the TRA decided that Lucy Lapthorne would not be allowed to teach again. She cannot apply to restore her eligibility to teach in any educational setting in England.