Ban for teacher who told pupils about drunken night

Ban for Teacher Who Shared Personal Details with Students

A 36-year-old teacher from Yeovil, Somerset, has been barred from teaching after revealing personal aspects of her life to pupils. Natasha Blackmore, who led the design technology department at Westfield Academy secondary school, shared unsuitable information about her relationships and social activities, including a night of heavy drinking, with the Professional Conduct Panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency. The panel heard that she also displayed messages in which she described another individual in a negative light.

Blackmore admitted to engaging in inappropriate professional behavior, which could damage the reputation of the teaching profession, on 24 March. The report highlighted that up to five students frequently visited her during recess and lunch breaks, with one student expressing that they regarded her as a friend rather than a teacher. The panel determined that she disclosed “significant inappropriate details” about her private life to pupils and spent excessive time with them.

During an investigation, a student named Pupil A mentioned that Blackmore had invited a group to meet her dog during school holidays. She also shared stories about a hen night where she “got really drunk and was vaping and smoking.” Pupil A initially thought the interactions were acceptable but later described the relationship as “some kind of weird relationship” where they exchanged personal information.

“The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Ms Blackmore amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession,” the report stated.

Another student claimed that four pupils regularly accompanied Blackmore in her room during breaks and lunches, discussing topics like their daily experiences, behavior, home life, and personal issues. She also mentioned that the students had been emotionally supportive after her dog passed away, stating, “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 joined a pupil’s Instagram group chat and arranged a meeting with them at Yeovil Recreational Centre. The panel concluded that this meeting violated the staff code of conduct. A parent noted that they had never felt uneasy about her actions, calling her “a really good teacher.” The ban is indefinite, though Blackmore can request a review after two years.