Teacher banned after sex with student in car park

Robert Keith taught at All Saints Academy between 2013 and 2016

A teacher has been banned from the profession after he instigated a sexual relationship with a female pupil.

The Teaching Regulation Agency panel found that Robert Keith, who taught at All Saints Academy in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, between 2013 and 2016, had committed a serious and exploitative breach of trust.

In the summer of 2014, the now 33-year-old invited a student into his car and touched her sexually, he later invited the girl and another pupil to his home.

Bedfordshire Police said a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, but was released without further action following an investigation.

The student gave evidence to the panel where she explained Mr Keith had communicated with her and another student using a Facebook Messenger group called "Convos with Keith".

The three had developed a bond in the academic year of 2013 to 2014, the report stated.

In a police interview the teacher admitted that sexual comments were made in the group, but suggested they were jokes.

'Akin to grooming'

The girl told the panel that on 3 July 2014 she met Mr Keith inside his car in a car park.

She said before that date they had discussed having sex and formed a plan to do so.

In the car he touched her thigh, then touched her under her clothes before touching her sexually between her legs.

On a later date he sent a message to the pupil where he suggested they "just stay friends".

In late July he invited and drove both students to his home to watch television.

In December 2015 the girl told her mum that something had happened between her and Mr Keith, and her mum reported it to the school.

In his police interview Mr Keith admitted the car park meeting had taken place but denied touching the girl sexually or under her clothes.

He claimed he had only touched her thigh as a reassuring gesture. The panel rejected his denial.

The Teaching Regulation Agency panel found that Mr Keith's conduct involved serious sexual misconduct towards a child, which had caused long-term harm.

He did not appear at the hearing, where the girl told the panel the experience had made her scared to trust any teachers.

In its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Education, the panel said it was "particularly concerned about the escalation in Mr Keith's behaviour, which, in the panel's view, was akin to grooming".

He is now prohibited from teaching indefinitely and is not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.