DERBY MUSIC TEACHER LAURIE SOFTLEY BANNED AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH TEENAGE PUPILS IN DERBY AND DUFFIELD
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Laurie Softley, a music teacher based in Derby, has been permanently barred from teaching following allegations of inappropriate conduct and sexual activities with two teenage students.The incidents took place at Ecclesbourne School, located in Duffield, and have raised serious concerns about safeguarding and professional conduct within the educational sector.
Laurie Softley, aged 34, was found to have engaged in a series of inappropriate relationships with pupils who were members of the school choir she led.
The misconduct spans several years, with the earliest known incident occurring in 2008, when she was involved with a pupil at the age of 17.
The most recent incident was reported to have taken place in 2013, involving a different pupil, also aged 17 at the time.
The Teaching Regulation Agency, which conducted the disciplinary hearing in Coventry, concluded that Softley's actions had severely damaged the reputation of the teaching profession.
The agency's decision was made in her absence, as she did not attend the hearing.
The agency emphasized that her conduct had brought the profession into disrepute, leading to her indefinite removal from the teaching register.
Details of the incidents reveal a pattern of misconduct.
Both students involved, referred to as Pupil A and Pupil B, were 17 years old during the respective episodes.
It was disclosed that Softley, who was married at the time, had maintained her teaching position at Ecclesbourne School for nearly ten years despite her inappropriate relationships.
Evidence presented during the hearing indicated that she met Pupil A in a pub and subsequently lured him to her home, where they engaged in sexual activity.
Softley admitted to having sexual relations with Pupil A following an internal investigation, which resulted in her receiving a final written warning for gross misconduct.
Further allegations emerged when Softley was accused of providing alcohol to Pupil B, after which he performed a sex act on her at her residence.
Pupil B later reported the incident after attending a counseling session in 2017.
Although no criminal charges were pursued by the police, the school launched another investigation into her conduct.
As a result, Softley chose to resign from her teaching position at Ecclesbourne School.
Ecclesbourne School, recognized as one of the top state schools in the UK, issued a statement clarifying the school's handling of the situation.
A spokesperson explained that the decision to allow Softley to continue teaching after the initial allegations in 2013 was made by a previous headmaster.
The school conducted a thorough internal inquiry, including formal interviews with Softley and the involved student, but concluded that there was insufficient evidence to take disciplinary action at that time.
The spokesperson added, “As soon as allegations surfaced in 2013, we conducted an exhaustive internal inquiry, which included formal interviews with both Ms Softley and the student alleged to have been involved, but we were not presented with sufficient evidence for us to conclude that these were anything more than unfounded rumour and gossip.
As such, our position was that there was no legal basis upon which we could take any disciplinary action.” However, upon learning of the police investigation into the same allegations last year, the school took immediate action by suspending Softley.
The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding measures and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable students from exploitation and abuse.
