Teacher Permanently Banned for Inappropriate Relationship with Student
A 34-year-old teacher has been permanently banned from the profession after sending a student more than 100 text messages in a single evening and describing them as a very special person. Stephen White was a teacher at St Wilfrid's Catholic School in Crawley when he engaged in what authorities have termed an inappropriate relationship with a pupil known as Pupil A.
Pattern of Inappropriate Communication
Between March 2020 and March 2023, White sent the student numerous emails of a personal nature, with many sent outside of school hours. In one email from May 2021, he wrote: Just wanted to say a massive thank you for my card and gifts… Thank you for being a good friend to me, also! I will miss you tremendously, you have no idea, before signing off with Stephen x.
The teacher escalated the contact by giving Pupil A his personal phone number, leading to an evening where he sent upwards of 100 text messages. During the subsequent investigation, the student revealed that they switched to texting because they believed their emails were being monitored and they felt they were being watched.
Deliberate Concealment and Gifts
The Teaching Regulatory Authority panel found that White took deliberate steps to ensure the school did not discover their communication. He failed to follow management guidelines to limit contact with Pupil A and did not report the correspondence to school authorities.
White's misconduct extended to writing a letter of two to three double-sided pages to the student, telling her she was a very special person and referring to her as #1. He also sent a picture of his newborn child to Pupil A and gave her gifts, including a book of mindfulness quotes, a chocolate bar, and a drink before an exam.
School Response and Investigation
In January 2023, a former pupil alerted the school that White and Pupil A were communicating via text messages. When first confronted, White initially denied the relationship. St Wilfrid's Catholic School promptly informed the local authority, conducted an internal probe, suspended White, and dismissed him the following day.
Several teachers, including the deputy headteacher, reported seeing White alone with the pupil on school premises. An email exchange in 2022 revealed White apologising to Pupil A for being colder and blunter after senior staff advised him to limit contact. The student replied expressing shock and stress over the situation.
Professional Conduct Breaches
The TRA panel concluded that White's conduct was dishonest and lacked integrity, posing a safeguarding risk to Pupil A. He was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, breaching multiple Teachers Standards, including:
- Observing proper boundaries
- Treating pupils with dignity
- Building relationships rooted in mutual respect
- Safeguarding pupils' welfare
White has been banned from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any sixth form college, school, relevant youth accommodation, or children's home in England. However, he retains the right to apply for restoration of his teaching eligibility in the future.
School Statement
Michael Ferry, the headteacher of St Wilfrid's Catholic School, stated: As you might expect, I am bound by matters of confidentiality regarding the specifics of this case. However, as per the TRA report, I can confirm that the school acted quickly, informed the relevant authorities, and as was then, and still is now, we remain committed to the safeguarding of all students and staff within the school community.
Notably, White had previously participated in school activities, featuring as Buddy the Elf in the West Sussex school's epic mini-version of the famous Christmas film in 2018, which included 64 members of staff.
