UK main instructor banned as secret meet-ups and Snapchat pics to college students uncovered
Emma Anderson, a deputy safeguarding lead at Whinstone Primary School in Ingleby Barwick, was banned from teaching indefinitely after a Teaching Regulation Agency professional conduct hearing
Whinstone Primary School in Ingleby Barwick(Image: Evening Gazette)
A primary school teacher from Ingleby Barwick has been barred from the classroom following inappropriate email exchanges with pupils and sharing images via Snapchat.
Emma Anderson, who served as deputy safeguarding lead at Whinstone Primary School, failed to uphold her responsibilities and fell well below professional standards expected.
The educator was employed at the Lowfields Avenue school when she sent unsuitable emails and arranged to meet students beyond school premises. A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) professional conduct hearing took place in May concerning her conduct. Mrs Anderson wasn’t represented and failed to attend the virtual proceedings, which continued without her presence. Panel chair Martin Coles stated Mrs Anderson faced multiple allegations stemming from her time at Whinstone Primary.
She was suspended in 2024 when the allegations emerged following a parent’s disclosure and police involvement. Cleveland Police confirmed that after investigation, no criminal charges were identified.
Mr Coles noted the parent’s revelation led to Mrs Anderson’s email correspondence being examined. She subsequently stepped down from her position in December 2024, reports Teesside Live.
The now 46-year-old sent hundreds of emails to a pupil on a routine basis, which were deemed inappropriate, the hearing heard. She communicated outside working hours and throughout school breaks, including personal details about her private life.
Mrs Anderson had also taken photos with two students using a personal mobile phone, the hearing was informed. She also failed to take appropriate action to safeguard a student.
Mrs Anderson proceeded to share emails with another student which was also inappropriate and when she knew they had left school. Mrs Anderson “blurred professional boundaries”, the hearing panel determined, and failed to act in accordance with her duties working in a safeguarding role at the school.
Laurence Harris, representing the TRA, said Mrs Anderson’s behaviour was a “flagrant breach of professional boundaries, amounting to unacceptable professional conduct”. He said that some photos had been shared with a student over Snapchat.
Speaking at the hearing, Mr Harris 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.”
At the end of the hearing, Mr Coles said Mrs Anderson’s behaviour amounted to “unacceptable professional conduct” and was conduct that “may 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.”
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.”
In a recently published outcome of the hearing, it was determined that the panel was convinced that Mrs Anderson was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. It added her actions “constituted conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute”.
Mrs Anderson is now indefinitely barred from teaching and cannot teach 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, but not until five years from the date of the order at the earliest.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
