A SPORTS teacher at a Somerset school who had sex with a pupil after plying her with sexual compliments during an overseas trip has been banned from the classroom.

Martin Swarfield, 46, who worked at Wells Cathedral School for 11 years, admitted his inappropriate behaviour ahead of a Teacher Regulation Agency panel ruling.

The panel heard during a school expedition to Nepal led by Swarfield and back in England, he:

  • entered Pupil A's bedroom and asked for a hug;
  • separated her from her peers by allowing her to have a bedroom on her own;
  • drank alcohol with Pupil A and other pupils and smoked a cigarette from her;
  • told her she looked "really hot" in a club;
  • gave her a necklace and bracelet;
  • invited Pupil A to the bar and drank with her;
  • hugged and kissed her;
  • told her she looked gorgeous and didn't even know it;
  • followed her to the toilet and pinned and/or manoeuvred her against the cubicle door and kissed her, unbuttoned her top and groped her;
  • told her his job and family would be in jeopardy if it ever came out;
  • told Pupil A that he wanted to have sex with her and exchanged inappropriate text messages;
  • caused Pupil A to commit a sexual act on him and on another occasion had sex with her.

The incidents were said to have taken place from late 2016 and led to a safeguarding investigation by the school, with other pupils and staff members interviewed.

In June 2017, Pupil A made a complaint to the police and Swarfield was arrested at the school.

He was suspended from the school and a disciplinary investigation meeting was held by the school the following January, after which he resigned in the February.

A referral to the Teacher Regulation Agency was then made by the school, leading to a professional conduct panel meeting.

Swarfield admitted his behaviour but did not attend the panel meeting.

Swarfield admitted that his behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.

He was barred from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

The panel decided that, due to seriousness of the allegations, Swarfield is not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.