Ban for teacher who told pupils about drunken night
Ban for Teacher Who Shared Personal Details with Students
A secondary school teacher in Somerset has faced an indefinite ban after sharing personal information about her social life with pupils. Natasha Blackmore, 36, who served as head of design technology at Westfield Academy, admitted to breaching professional boundaries by discussing relationships and nights out involving alcohol and vaping with her students.
The Teaching Regulation Agency’s Professional Conduct Panel reviewed the case and found Blackmore had sent messages to students detailing her private life. These included accounts of her behavior during a hen night, where she described herself as “getting really drunk” while smoking and vaping. The panel also noted she exchanged messages in social media group chats and arranged a meeting with students during school holidays.
“The conduct of Ms Blackmore amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession,” stated the report.
During an internal investigation, one student referred to as Pupil A claimed Blackmore invited a group to meet her dog at Yeovil Recreational Centre. The student later said the teacher had treated them as friends rather than students, leading to “some kind of weird relationship” where they shared personal details freely. Another pupil mentioned up to five students would gather in Blackmore’s room during breaks and lunchtimes, discussing topics like their day, behavior, and home lives.
“If it hadn’t been for those students and the support they showed me after I lost [REDACTED], I don’t think I would have come back to work properly due to the way I was feeling,” Blackmore said.
Despite her admission, the panel ruled her actions constituted unacceptable professional conduct. The ban is indefinite, though Blackmore may request a review after two years. A parent defended her, stating she had always been “a really good teacher” and never felt anything improper was happening.
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