ALEXANDRA SHARMAN'S SHAMEFUL CRIME IN STEVENAGE: TEACHER STRIKEN OFF FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 15-YEAR-OLD PUPIL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stevenage, Alexandra Sharman, a 31-year-old female physical education teacher, has been permanently barred from the teaching profession following her involvement in a prolonged and inappropriate sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. The incident, which spanned over an extended period, has led to her being dismissed from her position at Marriotts School, a school whose motto is “Aim high. Work hard. Be kind.”

Details of the case emerged during a disciplinary hearing held in Coventry, where it was revealed that the relationship with the pupil, referred to as Pupil A, began when he was in Year 10. The misconduct was uncovered after Pupil A confided in his general practitioner (GP) about being a victim of “sex abuse,” which prompted the GP to report the matter to the police. Despite the serious allegations, Pupil A later chose not to press formal charges against Sharman.

According to the findings, the inappropriate relationship involved multiple instances of sexual activity, including sexual intercourse, and was characterized by a sustained and intimate connection over a significant period. The professional conduct panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership concluded that Sharman’s actions constituted unacceptable professional conduct and could tarnish the reputation of the teaching profession.

Evidence presented during the hearing indicated that the misconduct came to light around June 2015. Pupil A disclosed to his GP that he had been subjected to sexual abuse by Sharman, which was linked to his feelings of depression. The GP then relayed this information to the Hertfordshire Constabulary. Subsequently, on June 20 and 21, 2015, Sharman confided in her colleagues, Witness B and Witness A, respectively, about receiving a threatening letter from Pupil A and her relationship with him. Witness B, a former head of behaviour, safety, and attendance at the school, informed the head teacher of these disclosures.

Following these revelations, Sharman was suspended from her duties on June 23, 2015. The police interviewed Pupil A on July 19, 2015, but he expressed that he did not wish to pursue criminal charges. By December of that year, the school was informed that the police would not be pressing charges against her. Before the investigation could be finalized, Sharman submitted her resignation letter on January 12, 2016.

During the disciplinary hearing, the panel carefully examined Pupil A’s statement, which was notably concerning due to the manner in which he directly addressed the relationship, including the threatening letter he had written to Sharman. The panel noted that Sharman did not attend the hearing and chose not to be represented by her union, NASUWT. As a result, she was handed an indefinite ban from teaching, which prohibits her from working in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home across England.

Panel chair Janet Draper emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest Sharman’s actions were accidental or made under duress. Instead, the panel found her conduct to be calculated and deliberate. The decision was supported by Education Secretary Justine Greening’s representative, Jayne Millions, who stated that the severity of the case meant that Sharman would not be eligible to apply for the ban to be lifted in the future, effectively ending her teaching career in England.