A drama and music teacher has been permanently banned from the teaching profession after admitting to sending sexually explicit photographs to a student with whom she had developed inappropriate feelings.
Megan Lanning, 36, was employed at Ripplevale School in Rochester, Kent, when she sent two indecent images to a pupil. According to a disciplinary panel, one image revealed her upper torso, while another depicted her lower body, partially covered by her hand.
The teacher ultimately reported her own misconduct to the school’s safeguarding team, confessing that she had become emotionally attached to the student. In a written statement, she recalled her intentions at the time, saying, “I remember at the time I just wanted to give [them] all of me and wanted [them] to think I was amazing.”
Reflecting on her actions, Ms. Lanning later expressed deep regret, describing herself as “disgusted and repulsed” by what she had done, and acknowledged the toll it could have taken on the student and her family. “The whole thing truly feels like such lunacy to me now,” she said.
Alan Wells, Chair of the Teaching Regulation Agency panel, concluded that Ms. Lanning’s conduct was motivated by an inappropriate emotional or possibly sexual interest in a student. “It was clear Ms. Lanning was pursuing some sort of relationship and/or sexual gratification. She had developed feelings for a pupil at the school in respect of whom she was in a position of power and authority and had acted upon this by sending photographs of herself of a sexual nature.”
Mr. Wells emphasized that her actions represented a serious breach of the standards required of teaching professionals. Consequently, the panel issued a permanent prohibition order, with no opportunity for review or reinstatement.
Source: Daily Mail
