Mark Fletcher, 45, has been banned from the teaching profession after a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel found that he had a sexual relationship with a pupil at Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College in Swindon. The panel ruled that his conduct amounted to serious misconduct and that he should be struck off.
Relationship with pupil
Fletcher, who joined the school in September 2009, was suspended in July 2023 after the former pupil revealed their relationship. He disputed all the allegations throughout the proceedings.
The panel heard that Fletcher sent the pupil numerous emails from his personal account, many of them during the night or in the early hours of the morning. In one exchange in July and August 2019, he allegedly told her: 'It is rare to meet someone who changes who you are.' He also suggested they meet up, writing: 'Do you actually want to meet up and talk… Free most days from midnight… I can do tomorrow/the early hours of Saturday.'
Late-night meetings
The pupil told the panel that Fletcher drove to her home at around 1am on August 30, 2019, and she 'snuck out' to meet him. They reportedly spent several hours talking, staying together until around 6am. The girl said Fletcher then asked: 'You're not gonna tell anyone are you?' When she replied that she would not, he allegedly said: 'Good, I trust you.'
She told the panel that their relationship initially involved emotional conversations about their feelings for each other and hugs, but nothing physical beyond that. The relationship became sexual in December 2019, after she had left the school, with the pair meeting late at night in Fletcher's car.
Panel decision
Police investigated the allegations but took no further action. The case was referred to the TRA in November 2023.
The panel report said Fletcher had made no admissions and had disputed all the allegations throughout the proceedings. However, it concluded that his behaviour had fallen significantly below the standards expected of a teacher. 'The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Fletcher amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession,' the report said. 'Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Mr Fletcher was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.'
