Teacher banned for discussing underwear with pupil

The agency has banned Robyn Hedges from teaching until at least 2026

A teacher has been indefinitely banned after engaging in inappropriate relationships with pupils in Surrey.

Robyn Hedges, 30, discussed underwear, relationships, shaving, body piercings and vaping in social media messages with a girl (named Pupil A) between February and May 2023.

Miss Hedges also sent private messages to a boy (Pupil B) in March. She admitted meeting both pupils in a local park.

A professional conduct panel hearing, which did not name the school, said online safety is fundamental in modern safeguarding and that the teacher's actions were “a very serious departure from expected behaviour”.

In May last year, the grandmother of Pupil A gave 183 screenshots to the child's school which showed conversations between the pupil and Miss Hedges.

In the messages, they discussed thongs and types of underwear they liked to wear, as well as belly button and nipple piercings.

Sending messages

The Teaching Regulation Agency said Pupil A told Miss Hedges she was “shaving for the weekend” and that she was filmed kissing another pupil in a park for money.

Miss Hedges failed to report this to the school's designated safeguard lead.

She also told Pupil A to switch her social media profile to a private setting as their conversations were being monitored, and that she should not tell anyone about their contact.

During a suspension meeting at the school, Miss Hedges said she had only been in contact with Pupil A.

However, it was found she had also been sending messages to Pupils B, C and D.

Miss Hedges deleted the majority of her messages ahead of a misconduct hearing in June, but admitted all the allegations.

She is banned from teaching indefinitely but can apply to have the ban dismissed after two years.

Surrey Police found no criminal offences had been committed.

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.