Teacher banned after sexual activity with boy

A teacher who was jailed after she engaged in sexual activity with a boy has been struck off the profession for life.

Beverley Dunnage, 52, was head of Year 8 at the private girls' school St George's Ascot when she "incited" the boy to engage in sexual activity in May 2024 and was reported to police.

Dunnage admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child at Taunton Crown Court in July 2024 and was jailed for 45 months in December 2024.

A spokesperson for the school, previously attended by Princess Beatrice, confirmed the crimes had "no connection to the school or its pupils".

Dunnage started working at the school in January 2023 and was sacked after her arrest in July 2024.

A hearing into her conduct was held in private by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) before its panel's findings were published on Wednesday.

"Her conduct ran counter to what should have been at the very core of her practice as a teacher with a duty of care towards children," the TRA said.

Emails attested to Dunnage's previous "impeccable" character, but the TRA heard her ability to give evidence to it was "restricted" because of her imprisonment.

The agency was told Dunnage committed the offences "following an argument that had left [her] distraught and not thinking clearly".

But the panel found any public interest in retaining her as a teacher was "significantly outweighed" by her offending.

She will never be able to apply to have her registration to teach restored.