Teacher is banned after 'inappropriate' conduct

A TEACHER from Somerset who shared “inappropriate details” with pupils about her personal life has been banned from teaching by regulators.

- PAUL GREAVES

Natasha Blackmore, who was head of design and technology at Westfield Academy in Yeovil, met regularly with a small group of pupils, confided about her relationships and being drunk on a hen night.

The 36-year-old was found to have spent excessive time with one or more pupils and admitted discussing breakups and new partners, details of her social life, including drinking, vaping and smoking on nights out and showing pupils text messages between herself and another person describing him in derogatory terms.

The result of a professional conduct panel meeting has been published. It says Ms Blackmore “fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession”.

The report says up to five pupils would go to see Ms Blackmore in breaks and lunchtimes at school and one said the teacher saw them as friends, not students, the Teaching Regulation Agency ruling revealed.

The panel found she allowed one or more pupils to contact her via her personal social media account, exchanged messages with pupils on social media group chats and arranged a meeting with pupils during school holidays.