Science teacher, 50, who had oral sex with 16-year-old BANNED from classroom
A SCIENCE teacher who engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil and wrote advice about kissing in her yearbook has been banned from the classroom for life.
Disgraced Keith Wright, now aged 50, arranged to meet the teenager in his car and at his home as she was preparing for her GCSEs in which she performed poorly.
To get her in the mood, he showed her porn on his laptop and even wrote advice about kissing in her yearbook, telling her to close her eyes because "it's rude to stare".
The girl, Pupil A, told a professional conduct committee of the National College for Teaching and Leadership the relationship started shortly after her mother died.
Related articles
She said that on occasions they were naked in the bedroom where he touched her intimately, kissed her breasts and performed oral sex.
It was evident that Pupil A's academic progress and fulfilment had been prejudiced by Mr Wright's conduct
Wright, who did not attend the Coventry hearing, worked at Testbourne Community School, Whitchurch, and was in his mid 30s at the time of the relationship around 2000 and 2001.
But it was not reported by Pupil A to the police until March 2013, some 13 years later.
He was charged with various criminal offences of a sexual nature, but cleared by a jury.
Panel chair Mrs Kathy Thomson explained it was critical to the criminal case whether Pupil A was under the age of consent when they had sex.
Her committee was only concerned if she was still at the school when it happened, which it found she was.
In evidence, Pupil A said the relationship began in October 2000 after she told Mr Wright she had a "soft spot" for him.
He described her as "the woman of my dreams" but told her she was "too young".
Then he handed her his mobile phone number, scrawled on a piece of paper.
He set up meetings in a local car park by texting her, from where they drove to a more secluded spot to engage in sexual activity "on several occasions".
The girl was persuaded to go to his house where they went to his ground floor bedroom.
After the earlier sex sessions, they attempted to have sexual intercourse on six or seven occasions but it was too painful for her, so she gave him oral sex instead.
Sometimes he showed her porn on his laptop.
He also bought her vodka at local pubs, sometimes with a friend of hers.
Science teacher Mr Wright wrote in her yearbook: "Hiya Pupil A, It's been a pleasure to teach such a charming young lady over the past year.
"Remember don't postpone anything that will add laughter, fun and happiness to your love, believe in love at first sight and close your eyes when you kiss - its rude to stare. All the best, love Keith xxx."
On the first occasion Mr Wright arranged to meet Pupil A they kissed "passionately with open mouths" and he touched her breasts and her crotch area over her clothing while she touched him.
Wright was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.
Mrs Thomson said Mr Wright's behaviour was of a serious nature and "was wholly incompatible with being a teacher."
She said: "It was evident that Pupil A's academic progress and fulfilment had been prejudiced by Mr Wright's conduct.
"It was Pupil A's belief that, having been distracted by Mr Wright during her GCSE year, she failed to meet her potential. It was also an ongoing reason for distress and upset.
"The panel also noted that, when he formed the relationship with Pupil A, she had recently lost her mother in tragic circumstances."
Mr Wright was prohibited from teaching indefinitely which means he cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.
Decision maker Jayne Millions, on behalf of education secretary Nicky Morgan, said the allegations were so serious Mr Wright will not be allowed to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
