Female science teacher, 35, who was spared jail for having sex with a 16-year-old boy pupil after swapping sexual messages for months is banned from the classroom indefinitely
- Shannon Parsons sent a text message to the pupil stating: ‘Aw I love you’
- She also struck up a ‘motivated’ friendship with his parents
- Parsons avoided prison but admits her actions as a teacher were ‘dangerous’
A female science teacher has been banned from the classroom indefinitely after having sex with a 16-year-old pupil.
While teaching in Northfleet, Kent, Shannon Parsons sent text messages to the child stating: ‘Aw I love you!’; ‘Want a lift? X’; and ‘I know we talked about meeting up this week but I think [blank] would probably tell her dad.. I do wanna see you soon though x x x.’
In a ‘calculated’ manoeuvre, the 35-year-old also struck up a friendship with the child’s parents and worked to make both the child, known as Pupil A, and his parents reliant on her.
Parsons was convicted of having a relationship with the pupil and sentenced to 12-months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Maidstone Crown Court in March 2021.
Shannon Parsons has been banned from teaching indefinitely after having sex with the pupil
The court heard that sexual intercourse took place one afternoon at his home while his parents were at work.
Parsons was also given a sexual harm prevention order for five years and must sign on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
At a Teaching Regulation Agency professional conduct hearing that followed her conviction she was banned indefinitely from teaching in schools, sixth-form colleges, youth accommodation and children’s homes in England.
Reaching its decision, panel members concluded Parsons focussed on the impact her behaviour had on her life rather than the pupil’s, and had therefore not shown true insight.
Parsons, 35, said she was friends with the pupil but ‘inadvertently’ made things worse
Its report said: ‘There was no evidence to suggest that Ms Parsons was acting under extreme duress, and, in fact, the panel found Ms Parsons’ actions to be calculated and motivated.
‘Ms Parsons submitted she forged a friendship with Pupil A, and his parents.
‘[She] offered Pupil A support; Pupil A stated that both Pupil A and his mother became reliant on her.
‘Ms Parsons stated the language used between her and Pupil A mirrored the language and familiarity that she used with Pupil A’s mother.’
The report stated that she accepted the language was ‘not appropriate’ and far exceeded ‘the boundaries of her role’, adding: ‘Ms Parsons also explained that, having never witnessed a healthy relationship, someone coping well emotionally, or having a stable parent to guide her, she was not able to cope with the position of trust awarded to her.
‘Further, the panel found Ms Parsons had not fully comprehended the inappropriateness of her actions as evidenced by her comment that the ‘relationship [with Pupil A] was platonic’ and that they ‘were friends’.’
A letter was submitted to the investigation by Parsons, claiming she ‘inadvertently’ made things worse.
She wrote: ‘I was clear in my mind at the time, that our relationship was platonic.
‘By imprinting my own negative experiences into my teaching, I have inadvertently and subconsciously made things worse, for myself and my students.
‘This was dangerous and I recognise that now. My responsibilities as a teacher were blurred – I wanted to help and do the right thing for the students, but by not holding myself to account as an adult, the relationships forged were not appropriate.
‘I really struggled to see the difference between right and wrong at this point.’
Handing down the panel’s ruling, Alan Meyric, the chief executive of the TRA and speaking on behalf of the Secretary of State, echoed the panel’s findings that a review period would be inappropriate and permanently banned her from teaching.
Mr Meyric added: ‘In view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided Shannon Parsons shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.’
Parsons has 28 days from the date she is given notice of the order to appeal the hearing’s decision at the High Court.
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