A primary school teacher has been banned from the classroom for at least five years after her secret double life as a high-end escort was exposed by an anonymous letter.
The case of Samantha Barguss
Samantha Barguss, 31, was prohibited from teaching after a professional conduct panel ruled her actions were "inappropriate" and could damage public trust in the profession. The panel discovered she had been operating openly as an escort charging £1,600 per night while working at Hall Green Infant School in Birmingham.
Barguss had joined the school in September 2019. Her secret was uncovered in 2022 when an anonymous tip-off was sent to authorities. The letter revealed her escort work and her activity on a swingers' website, where she posted photographs showing her face.
Initially denying the allegations, Barguss confessed to a series of claims less than a day later. She also admitted to posting explicit photos and videos of herself online over a three-year period. She resigned from her teaching position after the discovery.
A hidden world of double lives
According to individuals within the sex industry, cases like Barguss's are not as rare as the public might assume. Nova Jewels, a Scottish cam girl, stated she has many clients in prominent positions, including teachers, who purchase adult services.
"The sex world is a lot bigger than what people think," Jewels explained. She noted it is common to encounter people who maintain such double lives, both providing and purchasing services. Despite her own career, Jewels supports Barguss's dismissal.
"If you have a profession, especially one including working in a school then no, you shouldn't be posting those kind of images online," she told the Daily Star. "Escorting is just a whole different ball game."
Jewels suggested that people in high-pressure jobs like teaching sometimes turn to the sex industry as an outlet. However, she emphasised the importance of extreme discretion, stating that those who successfully manage double lives are "extremely private and cautious."
Debating stigma and privacy
In contrast, dominatrix Mistress Valentina argued that stigma forces people to lead secret lives. She believes private, legal pursuits should not affect one's professional standing and that Barguss should not have been punished.
"I think people can have really extreme 'double' lives because there is still so much taboo and shame when it comes to sex in Britain," Valentina said. She champions the "sexual needs" of teachers, provided no harm is involved and their work remains separate.
Valentina, who also claims to have many teacher clients, advocates for a "don't ask, don't tell" approach. "Anyone in any job position is entitled to a full and healthy sex life however they choose to pursue it," she argued.
The panel's ruling
The Teaching Regulation Agency panel, chaired by Terry Hyde, examined the evidence against Barguss. They noted her online profile contained "numerous inappropriate images/videos" with graphic titles, including stills that appeared to show her engaged in sexual intercourse.
Barguss told the panel that the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns had negatively impacted her and her relationship, and that the website was intended as a discreet way to meet others. The panel acknowledged this but concluded her actions risked undermining public confidence in the teaching profession.
The ruling means Samantha Barguss cannot teach in any school in England for a minimum of five years, after which she must apply to have the prohibition order reviewed.
