A physical education (PE) instructor has been barred from teaching after a disciplinary board determined he had crossed professional boundaries with a female student at Mayville High School in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Stuart Smith, 48, held positions as assistant head of Year 11 and head of house at the school. The panel stated that he had developed an inappropriate emotional connection with a pupil during a school trip, engaging in excessive one-on-one interactions and exchanging multiple WhatsApp messages upon their return.
Evidence presented to the Teaching Regulation Agency revealed that Smith had referred to the student as “Premier League” and one of his favorite individuals, using affectionate terms like “hoody stealer” and “bracelet addict” in communication. Smith admitted that his messages had been overly friendly but attributed it to spending extensive hours with the student.
Furthermore, allegations arose that Smith made physical advances towards the student on a journey back from the trip, which he denied but the panel found to be true. Additionally, he was found to possess the student’s photographs, gifted her a bracelet, and shared personal contact details with students.
Although Smith was arrested in October 2023 on suspicion of sexual assault and subsequently suspended, the police investigation concluded in December without further action. Following these events, Smith resigned from the school.
The disciplinary panel concluded that Smith had repeatedly breached professional boundaries and failed to adhere to safeguarding protocols, deeming his actions exploitative and damaging to trust. While some allegations were not substantiated, Smith has been indefinitely prohibited from teaching, with a possibility of appeal in 2029 at the High Court.