KAY HOLLINGSWORTH BANNED FROM TEACHING AFTER SENDING INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES TO BOY IN BRAINTREE

In June 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving a primary school teacher from Braintree, Essex, who was found guilty of serious misconduct after engaging in inappropriate communication with an 11-year-old pupil. Kay Elizabeth Hollingsworth, aged 31, who was employed at Notley Green Primary School, became the subject of disciplinary action following revelations of her flirtatious and sexually suggestive messages sent via Instagram to a young boy she referred to as 'Dimples.'

The messages, which included comments such as 'About to have a shower #mental image for you lol,' 'U probs distracted thinking about how fabulous I am,' and 'Going to bed now dimplesxx,' revealed a troubling pattern of inappropriate behavior. Hollingsworth also disclosed personal details, mentioning that she had split from her partner in October and was now single and open to dating.

When the boy’s parents discovered the nature of the messages, Hollingsworth reportedly asked them not to inform the school about her conduct. Despite her plea, the matter was taken seriously, and she was summoned before a teachers' disciplinary panel. During the hearing, Hollingsworth admitted to the charges against her, acknowledging her misconduct and accepting her ban from the teaching profession.

The National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) panel reviewed her case and concluded that her actions were both 'proportionate and appropriate' grounds for a ban, citing concerns that her conduct could tarnish the reputation of the teaching profession. The panel emphasized that her inappropriate exchanges, which included sexual innuendo, could have been confusing for the young pupil and represented a breach of her responsibilities to safeguard students' well-being.

In addition to her interactions with the 11-year-old, Hollingsworth was also found to have engaged in Snapchat conversations with a former pupil, further demonstrating a pattern of inappropriate communication. Her employment at Notley Green Primary School was terminated in May of the previous year due to gross misconduct.

The panel detailed her role at the school, noting that she served as a 'phase leader' and class teacher. They stated, 'By sending messages to an 11-year-old pupil, including some containing sexual innuendo which could have been confusing to the pupil, Miss Hollingsworth failed in her position of responsibility and her obligation to safeguard pupils.'

Despite the severity of her actions, the panel acknowledged that Hollingsworth expressed remorse, stating she 'would forever regret the actions that I took.' In her own words, she expressed shock and horror at her behavior, recognizing that her actions had placed the pupil, the school's reputation, and her nine-year career in jeopardy.

On behalf of the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, Alan Meyrick, Deputy Director of the NCTL, explained that Hollingsworth's conduct was a 'serious departure from the personal and professional conduct elements of Teachers Standards.' He highlighted that the sexual nature of her messages and the age of the pupil crossed the boundary of acceptable behavior, aligning with what most parents of 11-year-olds would consider inappropriate and serious.

Meyrick further emphasized that her actions constituted an abuse of her position of trust, as teachers are entrusted with the responsibility to behave appropriately towards pupils. While he supported the panel's decision to ban her from teaching, he also noted that she could potentially seek to return to the profession after a two-year period, provided she convincingly demonstrates her fitness to do so before a future NCTL panel. Hollingsworth retains the right to appeal the decision in the High Court if she chooses.