A housemistress at an elite £56,000-per-year boarding school has been prohibited from teaching indefinitely after being convicted of sexual offences against a child.
Conviction and Sentencing
Ms Beverley Dunnage, aged 52, was employed at St George's School Ascot, a prestigious girls' boarding school in Berkshire previously attended by Princess Beatrice. In July 2024, at Taunton Crown Court, she was found guilty of two counts of sexual offences with a minor and sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
Details of the Offences
The Teaching Regulation Agency conduct panel heard that Ms Dunnage, who served as head of Year 8 and boarding house mistress for Year 13, had been drinking alcohol with the child outside of a school setting in May 2024. During this encounter, she incited the boy to engage in sexual activity with her.
The panel stated that her actions "raised obvious and significant public and child protection concerns." Evidence presented showed that Ms Dunnage claimed she committed the offences "following an argument" that left her "distraught and not thinking clearly."
Professional Conduct Findings
However, the panel determined that "her conduct ran counter to what should have been at the very core of her practice as a teacher with a duty of care towards children." It found that her actions were deliberate, despite alcohol consumption, and there was no evidence of extreme duress.
The panel concluded that "there was a strong public interest consideration in respect of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, given the serious findings of inappropriate relationships with children."
Indefinite Teaching Ban
Stuart Blomfield, the decision maker on behalf of the Secretary of State, imposed an indefinite ban on Ms Dunnage from teaching. He stated: "In my judgement, the lack of full insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision."
Ms Dunnage was dismissed from her position at St George's School after the allegations were reported to police. The case highlights critical issues in child protection within educational settings.
