LUCY LAPTHORNE BANNED FOR LIFE FROM TEACHING IN CORNWALL AFTER SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENT
| Red Rose Database
Cornwall Child Sexual Abuser
A teacher based in Cornwall has faced a permanent ban from the teaching profession following serious allegations of engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a pupil. Lucy Lapthorne, aged 37, was officially disqualified from teaching indefinitely by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) after she admitted to the misconduct during a formal hearing.
According to the findings of the misconduct hearing, Mrs. Lapthorne’s actions have severely tarnished the reputation of the teaching profession. The panel concluded that her conduct involved a sexual relationship with a student that persisted over several months. This relationship included acts such as kissing the student and engaging in sexual activity, which the TRA explicitly described as inherently sexual in nature. The panel also noted that, on the balance of probabilities, her conduct was motivated by sexual intent.
The hearing took place on June 17, 2024, and the subsequent report was published in December of the same year. During the proceedings, Mrs. Lapthorne admitted that her behavior constituted unacceptable professional conduct and was likely to bring her profession into disrepute. The panel emphasized that her actions breached the Teachers’ Standards, which require educators to uphold high standards of professionalism, including respecting the ethos and policies of their schools, maintaining proper conduct, and understanding their statutory duties.
Sarah Buxcey, a representative from the TRA, stated that the panel was convinced that Mrs. Lapthorne’s conduct fell significantly below the expected standards of the teaching profession. She underscored that such behavior, if left unpunished, could seriously undermine public confidence in teachers and the education system as a whole. The panel determined that the severity of her misconduct, especially concerning safeguarding issues, warranted the strongest possible disciplinary action.
During the hearing, Mrs. Lapthorne expressed remorse for her actions. In a written statement, she conveyed that she felt “truly ashamed” of the impact her behavior had on the student involved. She acknowledged that her actions could have negatively affected the student’s social, emotional, mental, physical wellbeing, and overall development. Mrs. Lapthorne also reflected on her personal growth, stating that she has “grown considerably as a person” and that words cannot fully express her remorse. She described herself as a matured woman with a new outlook on life, committed to making a positive difference in children’s lives and society.
Despite her expressions of regret, the TRA determined that her remorse was insufficient to mitigate the seriousness of her misconduct. Consequently, the panel recommended a lifetime ban from teaching, which was subsequently endorsed by the Secretary of State for Education. The decision explicitly states that Mrs. Lapthorne is prohibited from teaching in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home across England. Furthermore, she is not eligible to apply for restoration of her teaching status in the future, reflecting the gravity of the allegations and the breach of professional standards involved.
According to the findings of the misconduct hearing, Mrs. Lapthorne’s actions have severely tarnished the reputation of the teaching profession. The panel concluded that her conduct involved a sexual relationship with a student that persisted over several months. This relationship included acts such as kissing the student and engaging in sexual activity, which the TRA explicitly described as inherently sexual in nature. The panel also noted that, on the balance of probabilities, her conduct was motivated by sexual intent.
The hearing took place on June 17, 2024, and the subsequent report was published in December of the same year. During the proceedings, Mrs. Lapthorne admitted that her behavior constituted unacceptable professional conduct and was likely to bring her profession into disrepute. The panel emphasized that her actions breached the Teachers’ Standards, which require educators to uphold high standards of professionalism, including respecting the ethos and policies of their schools, maintaining proper conduct, and understanding their statutory duties.
Sarah Buxcey, a representative from the TRA, stated that the panel was convinced that Mrs. Lapthorne’s conduct fell significantly below the expected standards of the teaching profession. She underscored that such behavior, if left unpunished, could seriously undermine public confidence in teachers and the education system as a whole. The panel determined that the severity of her misconduct, especially concerning safeguarding issues, warranted the strongest possible disciplinary action.
During the hearing, Mrs. Lapthorne expressed remorse for her actions. In a written statement, she conveyed that she felt “truly ashamed” of the impact her behavior had on the student involved. She acknowledged that her actions could have negatively affected the student’s social, emotional, mental, physical wellbeing, and overall development. Mrs. Lapthorne also reflected on her personal growth, stating that she has “grown considerably as a person” and that words cannot fully express her remorse. She described herself as a matured woman with a new outlook on life, committed to making a positive difference in children’s lives and society.
Despite her expressions of regret, the TRA determined that her remorse was insufficient to mitigate the seriousness of her misconduct. Consequently, the panel recommended a lifetime ban from teaching, which was subsequently endorsed by the Secretary of State for Education. The decision explicitly states that Mrs. Lapthorne is prohibited from teaching in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home across England. Furthermore, she is not eligible to apply for restoration of her teaching status in the future, reflecting the gravity of the allegations and the breach of professional standards involved.