A science teacher has been banned from the classroom for life after admitting he used pupils' Instagram photos to fuel sexual fantasies. Jacob Woodland, 28, confessed to the acting head of Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy in Lancaster that he had looked at publicly available images of senior female students, three of whom were under 18.
In a statement written in August 2024, Woodland said: 'I am truly sorry but I have done something inappropriate and I cannot live with myself without being honest. I have looked at publicly available Instagram content of some senior female pupils at school and used these to fantasise for my own pleasure.' He was suspended the next day and resigned two months later.
The Teaching Regulatory Authority panel found Woodland guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, noting his behaviour was sexual in nature and sexually motivated. The images viewed were 'clothed or partially unclothed', possibly including pupils in bikinis. The panel said his actions could bring the profession into disrepute.
Colleagues described Woodland as a popular teacher with 'utmost integrity' and professionalism. However, the panel expressed concern over his limited remorse and lack of insight into the impact on pupils and the seriousness from a safeguarding perspective. They noted he did not understand why the school had to inform parents.
