A maths teacher who fabricated stories about being shot in a war zone and sent thousands of inappropriate messages to pupils has been banned from teaching indefinitely. Alexandra Slay, who worked at Epsom and Ewell High School in Surrey from December 2016 until her resignation in November 2023, told students she had served in the Australian army and once texted a pupil pretending to be another soldier claiming she had been severely wounded.
The Teaching Regulation Agency found that Slay sent thousands of emails to pupils between 2020 and 2023, gave out her personal phone number, and sent handwritten letters that were deemed deeply inappropriate and unprofessional. Pupils were instructed not to open the letters until a certain time and were encouraged to keep them secret with “pinky promises”. In one email, she wrote: “I am trying to be honest so that I don’t unintentionally hurt you by pushing you away… For your eyes only”.
Slay fabricated a narrative about being in the army, taking trips to war zones, and being involved in conflict. A text message to a pupil read: “Hey, just letting you know I have arrived and reached base.” Another text, purportedly from a “Lt. D Blackburn”, indicated she had sustained serious injuries. During a disciplinary interview, Slay admitted the stories were “all fabricated” and said she made them up to feel like she belonged.
The panel found that Slay’s actions constituted a significant breach of boundaries, allowing her to develop inappropriate relationships with pupils outside of school time. One message asked: “What is intimacy look or feel like to you? (Be careful with this one)…” Another detailed her views on intimacy, stating it “goes beyond the physical impact”.
The panel concluded that Slay’s conduct brought the profession into disrepute and issued an indefinite prohibition order. She may apply for the order to be set aside, but not until 21 April 2028.
