Emma Anderson, a deputy safeguarding lead at Whinstone Primary School in Ingleby Barwick, has been indefinitely banned from teaching after a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) professional conduct hearing found she sent hundreds of inappropriate emails and shared photos via Snapchat with pupils.
Hearing Details and Allegations
The TRA hearing took place in May 2026, with Anderson neither attending nor being represented. Panel chair Martin Coles stated that Anderson faced multiple allegations stemming from her time at the Lowfields Avenue school. She was suspended in 2024 after a parent's disclosure led to police involvement. Cleveland Police confirmed that following an investigation, no criminal charges were identified.
Coles noted that the parent's revelation prompted an examination of Anderson's email correspondence. She subsequently resigned from her position in December 2024.
Inappropriate Communications
The hearing heard that Anderson, now 46, sent hundreds of emails to a pupil on a routine basis, which were deemed inappropriate. She communicated outside working hours and throughout school breaks, including personal details about her private life. She also took photos with two students using her personal mobile phone and shared some images via Snapchat. Additionally, she failed to take appropriate action to safeguard a student and shared inappropriate emails with another student after they had left the school.
The panel determined that Anderson "blurred professional boundaries" and failed to act in accordance with her duties in a safeguarding role.
Statements from Officials
Laurence Harris, representing the TRA, described Anderson's behaviour as a "flagrant breach of professional boundaries, amounting to unacceptable professional conduct." He added: "Reasonable members of the public would be shocked that communications were taking place. It is conduct that would bring the teaching profession into disrepute."
A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "A report was made to Cleveland Police in relation to a woman communicating with a child. An investigation took place and the woman was arrested and interviewed. Following that investigation, officers established that there were no criminal offences identified and the woman was released with no further action."
School Response
Lorraine Batty, headteacher of Whinstone Primary School, stated: "As soon as these serious allegations against the staff member were brought to our attention, we immediately investigated in line with our policies and informed the police that same day. After the police investigation concluded, an internal investigation continued. Appropriate referrals, including to the Teaching Regulation Agency, were made in line with the investigation findings and the member of staff is no longer employed by the Trust. Following this incident we have reviewed and further strengthened our safeguarding policies and procedures, including a whole staff training day to reinforce the culture of professional curiosity and reiterate guidance around reporting both low level and safeguarding concerns."
Outcome
In a recently published outcome, the panel concluded that Anderson was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and that her actions "constituted conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute." She is now indefinitely barred from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children's home in England. She may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside no earlier than five years from the date of the order.
