A TEACHER who was found to have had a sexual affair with a 14-year-old pupil has been banned from teaching.

The Bury Times reported earlier this month that a tribunal had heard that Marc Richardson, a former head of drama at Tottington High School, had engaged in sexual contact with one student and admitted sending inappropriate and flirtatious messages.

The 34-year-old’s legal representative told a professional conduct panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) that he denied having a sexual relationship with the girl – referred to as ‘Pupil B’.

After seeing Whatsapp messages between Pupil B and Mr Richardson that contained explicit references to sexual acts between them, the panel found that the allegation of sexual contact was proven.

At the time of the offence, in May 2014, he was arrested by police and released without charge. He was suspended from his position at the school and resigned his post.

A decision published on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, said that he showed “no remorse” and prohibits him from teaching indefinitely, without provision for a review.

The statement read: “There was no evidence to suggest that Mr Richardson was acting under duress and it was clear to the panel that his actions were deliberate.

“Mr Richardson’s behaviour involves serious sexual misconduct. He has abused his position of trust and caused harm to Pupil B. Mr Richardson has shown no insight or remorse into his actions and I agree with the panel recommendation that he should be prohibited without the opportunity to apply to have the order set aside at a future date.

“This means that Mr Marc Richardson is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

“Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Marc Richardson shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.”

During the hearing last month, it was said that, in 2012, Mr Richardson told another pupil she was “too attractive to teach” and had touched her bottom with his hand.

In January 2013, the teacher was given a final written warning by the school, where he was also a head of house, prohibiting physical or social media contact with pupils.

In recommending a prohibition order to the Secretary of State, the panel said: “The panel considers that public confidence in the profession would be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against Mr Richardson were not treated with the utmost seriousness when regulating the conduct of the profession.”

He has 28 days to appeal the decision.