Teacher at Prestigious Boarding School Struck Off for Inappropriate Relationship with Pupil
A teacher at an exclusive boarding school charging over £30,000 annually has been permanently removed from the profession after repeatedly expressing romantic feelings towards a student. Benjamin Phelps, aged 31, faced an indefinite teaching prohibition following a ruling by the Teaching Regulation Agency's professional conduct panel, which determined he engaged in serious misconduct.
Details of the Misconduct and Disciplinary Action
Mr Phelps served as a deputy boarding housemaster, tutor, and performing arts technician at St Bede's School in East Sussex, which educates students from 13 to 18 years old. The panel concluded that his relationship with the pupil involved inappropriate texting, meetings outside of lessons, hugging, and kisses on the cheek. He even suggested they skip school to "eat in the car" together.
After an internal investigation, he was dismissed in April 2024. The professional conduct panel officially struck him off on January 16 of this year, citing significant breaches of professional boundaries.
Explicit Messages and Romantic Declarations
The evidence presented included numerous WhatsApp messages where Mr Phelps openly declared his love. In one message, he wrote, "I hope you've had a good night, I'm falling asleep with my phone in my hand. I love you and wish you sweet dream!! Contact me about anything xxxxxx".
Another message revealed, "A hot feeling went through me, from front to back, I shook slightly (bit weird but true), then I had this warm glow and I can't stop staring at it. I feel love, like pure love at a level I'm not sure I've felt before. This one feels special. (I'm so sorry for this but you want the truth) it properly turned me on. I just want to grab you and pick you up and have you wrapped around me. Also (less crass now!) I feel like there is not a single other thought in my brain, not one other than you."
He also communicated via Google Chat, using kisses and emojis, with messages such as "you have such a beautiful mind though, it's so pure and genuine, I've always said that" and "maybe delete this chat too in case they look through your phone".
Escalation of the Relationship and Safeguarding Failures
The relationship intensified between November 2023 and January 2024, with Mr Phelps moving their conversations to WhatsApp, a platform not approved by the school. They spent increasing time together outside of lessons and exchanged photographs. In a critical safeguarding failure, the panel noted that the student disclosed a personal matter in November 2023, which should have triggered mandatory reporting procedures, but Mr Phelps did not act.
The situation reached a climax in February 2024 when the student attempted to kiss Mr Phelps. Although he did not reciprocate and tried to revert to a professional dynamic, he failed to report the incident. The panel acknowledged that hugs had occurred and that cheek kisses were admitted by Mr Phelps during the tribunal.
Panel Findings and Future Implications
During the hearing, Mr Phelps admitted that, in hindsight, he felt flattered by the attention and that some messages indicated romantic feelings. The panel found that his actions, both individually and collectively, constituted serious boundary violations and demonstrated a personal, romanticised relationship by February 2024. However, an allegation of grooming was not proven.
Mr Phelps retains the right to appeal the decision at the High Court. He may apply to have the prohibition order lifted, but not before January 2030, underscoring the severity of the sanctions imposed.
