Life ban for Shrewsbury teacher over relationship with student
A former teacher at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College has been banned from the country's classrooms for having an inappropriate relationship with a female student.
Education Secretary Michael Gove banned Matthew Comerford, 37, from teaching after a Teaching Agency disciplinary panel found him guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct', including sexual contact, while at the college.
In imposing the ban, Mr Gove said Comerford's behaviour had brought the teaching profession into disrepute.
The panel found that, between September 2011 and April 2012, he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the girl, named only as Student A.
It said that Comerford admitted exchanging messages with her via Facebook, meeting with her outside of school on more than one occasion, including at his home, and kissing her on at least one occasion.
However, he denied having sexual contact with her on at least one occasion.
The panel said it had seen copies of messages that were exchanged by Comerford and the girl and continued: "We do not consider those appropriate given that the personal nature of them."
Finding that sexual contact did occur, the panel said Comerford had admitted that the relationship had at least developed to kissing and the girl staying overnight at his home.
Comerford has a right of appeal to the High Court.
