Teacher, 58, informed pupil ‘I’m in awe of your mind’ in ‘inappropriate’ relationship

Joanna Broad-Reeder, 58, admitted to arranging and meeting up with her pupil, under 18, on multiple occasions including a trip to an art gallery, a cinema and a meal

A Stoke-on-Trent teacher has been banned ‘indefinitely’ after first met the student – under 18 years of age – while she was working as a supply teacher at Crewe’s St Thomas More School back in January 2022.

A report detailing the outcome of a recent professional conduct panel meeting states that Ms Broad-Reeder remained in touch with the pupil after moving to St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy in September 2022. The 58-year-old met up with the boy ‘on numerous occasions’ and they went ‘for a meal, to an art gallery and the cinema’.

Ms Broad-Reeder admitted that she had arranged to and met the pupil outside of school, as well as exchanging phone numbers and subsequent messages of a personal nature between September 2022 and January 2024. One WhatsApp message she shared with him said: “Just this very moment, I realise what it is I feel for you. It is love – a love of who I used to be and who I longed for when I was young – which was you.”

The Teaching Regulation Agency report states that Ms Broad-Reeder accepted ‘that her behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional conduct’. It adds: “Ms Broad-Reeder stated that when she first met Pupil A, she was astounded by his intellect, maturity and love of the arts.

“She stated it was never sexual, but she was in awe of his brain and intelligence, and he reminded her of a better version of herself at his age. The panel made no findings about the motivation of the messages exchanged, only that they were inappropriate in tone and content and demonstrated an inappropriate relationship with Pupil A.”

In emails sent to her lawyers, Ms Broad-Reeder said: “I totally understand that I may have exceeded the parameters. I am only guilty of emotionally caring for and enjoying sharing the arts with the pupil.

“I understand completely why I have been seen to bring the teaching profession into disrepute, although this was never my intent.

“I agree that it now seems as unprofessional and totally accept that some of my actions were not best thought through. I am filled with regret and grief at the loss of my career, the loss of my good reputation, the shame and the loss of a friendship I hoped would be with me till I die.”

Considering her statements and apologies, the panel said in the report: “The panel did not consider these to be persuasive mitigation for her actions. The panel considered Ms Broad-Reeder’s apologies to be framed in such a manner that they did not show true insight or remorse. The panel found that Ms Broad-Reeder’s focus was largely on the detrimental impact of her actions on herself, rather than on Pupil A.”

Ms Broad-Reeder was struck off indefinitely and therefore cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. She is unable to apply for the prohibition order to be lifted until March 2029. If she does apply, a panel will meet to consider whether the prohibition order should be set aside.

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