Ban for teacher who told pupils about drunken night
Ban for Teacher Who Shared Personal Details with Pupils
A teacher from Yeovil, Somerset, has faced an indefinite ban after sharing private aspects of her life with students. Natasha Blackmore, 36, served as head of design technology at Westfield Academy secondary school. During an investigation, a professional panel reviewed her actions and found them to be in breach of conduct standards.
Unacceptable Behavior Identified
The report detailed how Blackmore disclosed “significant inappropriate details” about her personal relationships and social activities. This included sharing texts in which she had criticized someone harshly, as well as mentioning her habits of smoking, drinking, and vaping during a hen night. She admitted to these actions on 24 March, acknowledging they constituted misconduct.
“The conduct of Ms Blackmore amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession,” stated the panel.
Close Student Interaction
According to the findings, up to five students regularly visited Blackmore during school breaks and lunchtimes. One student described feeling a sense of camaraderie, stating the teacher treated them more like friends than students. The report noted that conversations often centered on personal topics such as daily experiences, behavior, and home life.
“I thought it was all fine in the beginning, but it developed into some kind of weird relationship where we told each other everything,” said Pupil A.
Blackmore also joined a pupil’s Instagram group chat and organized a meeting with students during school holidays. The panel concluded that these interactions violated the staff code of conduct. While she claimed the students provided emotional support after her dog’s death, the panel deemed her actions professionally inappropriate.
A parent commented that she had never felt concerned about any secretive behavior, calling Blackmore “a really good teacher.” The ban allows for a review after two years, giving her the opportunity to appeal the decision.
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