British science teacher, 39, is banned from the classroom for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old pupil

An experienced science teacher has been banned from the classroom after it emerged she had a sexual relationship with a pupil.

Rosalind Ramsey, 39, kissed the 16-year-old on three occasions and twice had sexual contact with him in her car on consecutive days after exchanging messages on Facebook.

A National College for Teaching and Leadership panel heard that she asked him to 'collect his achievement folder' from the school in a message on July 7 2014.

At the time she was employed as head of science at Seaford Head School in Seaford, East Sussex, where she had worked for 15 years.

She was rumbled two months later on September 23 2014 when another pupil reported her relationship with the boy to another teacher at the school.

Ms Ramsey admitted failing to maintain appropriate boundaries but denied that she kissed or had sexual contact with the boy willingly.

However, the panel did not find her account to be credible, and believed her to be 'a willing participant' who initiated the relationship.

The panel ruled she breached professional conduct standards, and was guilty of misconduct, abuse of position and sexual misconduct.

She was subsequently banned from teaching indefinitely and is not entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach after two years. She has 28 days to appeal.

In its findings, the panel wrote: 'The school investigated the allegations and Ms Ramsey was suspended and subsequently dismissed.

'The allegations were referred to the local authority via safeguarding procedures and reported to the police. No further action was taken by the police.

'On July 7 2014, Ms Ramsey became friends with Pupil A on Facebook and she made contact with him by Facebook using a private account to request that he come into school that day to collect his achievement folder.

'It was alleged that Ms Ramsey and Pupil A kissed on the 7, 9 and 10 July 2014 and that on 9 and 10 July 2014, they had sexual contact.'

Ms Ramsey also breached the school's social media policy by uploading photographs taken at the school prom to her Facebook account, the panel found.

The teenager, who was allowed to give his evidence in private because he was treated as a vulnerable witness, said he thought he and Ms Ramsey were in a relationship.

He claimed she also told him she liked him, and the panel noted he was a 'plausible and believable witness'.

The panel said: 'Pupil A met Ms Ramsey in her office on 7 July 2014 and said she asked him out after school.

'Pupil A met with Ms Ramsey after school and she drove him to Seaford Golf Club where they went for a walk. 'She told him that she liked him and they kissed. The language that he used described the kiss as consensual. 'He continued to meet with Ms Ramsey and they kissed on other occasions.

'Pupil A also told us that it was Ms Ramsey who instigated the sexual activity that occurred.

'He described that he and Ms Ramsey went walking around Crawley (West Sussex) holding hands after the sexual contact on July 10 2014.  'Pupil A stated that "it was both ways for the kissing. I thought it was a relationship. She said she liked me".'

Ms Ramsey was not present at the misconduct hearing on Friday and unsuccessfully applied through her NUT representative to have the hearing held in private.

Seaford Head School is a mixed secondary school with academy status for children aged 11 to 16 years old, with a separate sixth form centre for 17 and 18 year olds.

It is a specialist science and sports college, holding the Sport England Award Sportsmark, and has over 1,000 pupils.

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