Teacher Banned for Life After Sexual Activity with Child Recorded on Video
A 52-year-old teacher has been permanently struck off from the profession after being convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a child, an incident that was captured on video following the consumption of alcohol together. Beverley Jane Dunnage, who served as Head of Year 8 and Boarding Housemistress for Upper Sixth at St George's School in Ascot, Berkshire, was pictured at a Barbie-themed school event wearing a light pink jacket, a silver sequin top, and heart-shaped sunglasses, highlighting her continued presence in educational settings prior to her conviction.
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Mrs Dunnage was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 at Taunton Crown Court, receiving a sentence of 45 months in prison last year. The incident occurred on May 31, 2024, when she drank alcohol with a boy and later encouraged him to engage in sexual activity, which was recorded and photographed by another witness. This evidence was subsequently reported to Avon and Somerset Police, leading to her arrest and dismissal from the £35,000-a-year boarding school on July 12, 2024, before formal charges were brought.
Teaching Regulation Agency Findings
The Teaching Regulation Agency conducted a hearing, chaired by Carlo Lygo, which determined that the allegations against Ms Dunnage were proven. The panel concluded that she had breached multiple teaching standards, particularly the requirement to safeguard pupils' well-being. Although the offence took place outside a school setting, Mr Lygo emphasized that her actions were directly relevant to teaching and working with children, noting the serious nature of the crime involving a child and resulting imprisonment.
Factors in the Lifetime Ban Decision
Stuart Blomfield, representing the education secretary, underscored the decision to ban Ms Dunnage for life, citing strong public interest in protecting pupils and the public. The panel considered her conduct to fundamentally breach the expected standards of a teacher, exploiting her position of trust, with evidence indicating deliberate actions despite alcohol consumption. Additional factors included the severity of her conduct and its ongoing impact on the victim, as well as Ms Dunnage's own admission in a handwritten note and letter that she would never teach again.
Mitigating Circumstances and School Response
During the hearing, emails describing Ms Dunnage's previously 'impeccable' character were reviewed, along with limitations on her ability to provide evidence due to imprisonment. She claimed the offences occurred after an argument left her distraught and not thinking clearly, and she had been undergoing counselling, as noted in an email from August 11, 2025. A spokesperson for St George's Ascot stated that Ms Dunnage no longer works at the school and emphasized that the matter has no connection to the school or its pupils, distancing the institution from the scandal.
