Ban for teacher who supplied pupil with steroids

Michael Bedford used to be a science teacher at Netherwood Academy in Barnsley

A science teacher who supplied a pupil with anabolic steroids then gave advice on how they would impact an Army drug test has been banned from the classroom.

Michael Bedford, 39, failed to maintain professional boundaries with pupils A and B while employed at Netherwood Academy in Barnsley, a misconduct hearing found.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) was told Mr Bedford discussed confidential information with Pupil A, told them he was "fed up at Netherwood" and took them on a trip without reporting it to the school.

The TRA concluded Mr Bedford, who did not attend the hearing, had fundamentally breached the standard of professional conduct expected.

The TRA was told concerns about Mr Bedford, who joined the school in 2017, were raised in April 2019 which resulted in him being placed on management leave.

The panel heard the teacher had been discovered supplying oral supplements or anabolic steroids to Pupil B after pills and a note bearing Mr Bedford’s name and address were discovered by the child's parents.

Text messages showed Mr Bedford organising to meet the youngster outside school to hand over the substances purchased on their behalf. He later answered questions on how the drug could impact the pupil's ambitions to join the Army.

Asked if they would test for the drug, Mr Bedford texted in response: "u need stop them b4 ur army medical u wont pass the drugs tests with them in system [sic].”

The panel was told that while Mr Bedford was on management leave, he “delivered £150-worth of substances to Pupil B”, despite being told to cease contact.

A number of other allegations against him were also found proven, including that he "gossiped" about two former employees with Pupil A, discussed confidential information and meetings with pupils and disclosed his suspension.

'No insight or remorse'

In a report, the TRA concluded: "It was not only the supply of substances to a pupil that was of concern, but also the pattern of behaviour of breaching professional boundaries with two pupils, and flouting an instruction not to contact pupils, to continue the same course of conduct that was under investigation.

"Mr Bedford has demonstrated no insight or remorse, and the panel was concerned about the risk of repetition."

He was subsequently banned from teaching indefinitely and will not be allowed to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.

A spokesperson for Netherwood Academy said the school was "committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children".

“The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority, and we remain vigilant in keeping children safe," they said.

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