Teacher banned for sexual relationship with ex-pupil

A teacher who taught at schools across Surrey has been banned from the profession for having a sexual relationship with a former pupil.

Christina Bourne taught the pupil at an unnamed primary school between 2007 and 2010, while employed by Surrey County Council (SCC).

A professional conduct panel found that Bourne, now 37, had a sexual relationship in and around late 2015 to 2017, when the former pupil was an adult and no longer a pupil.

Bourne was handed a lifetime ban from teaching, with a review period of four years.

An allegation that the music teacher also disclosed private sexual photographs relating to the former pupil with intent to cause distress in April 2017 was also proven.

Bourne accepted a police caution in September that year.

The panel found that the proven allegations amounted to misconduct of a serious nature, which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.

In coming to its recommendation that a prohibition order be handed down, the panel noted that Bourne had met the former pupil through her teaching role, at which point there was an inherent power imbalance between them.

The panel concluded that, as a teacher, Bourne was in a position where she could, and should, have ensured that no sexual relationship took place.

They further noted that Bourne had also committed a criminal offence, for which she received and accepted a caution.

When committing the offence, she sent sexual photographs via WhatsApp from a phone that was not her own, it was found.

Bourne also admitted to sending messages to the former pupil's partner using a ghost Instagram account, which the panel found indicated an element of deliberate concealment of her actions.

Jonathan Hulley, SCC cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, said: "As per our formal safeguarding process the case of music teacher Ms Christina Bourne was passed to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) immediately after the report was made to Surrey Police.

"On recommendation of the LADO Ms Bourne was suspended from Surrey County Council employment and subsequently resigned."

A LADO is responsible for managing allegations against adults who work and or volunteer with children in regulated spaces.

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