A TEACHER has been banned from teaching for having sex with a pupil during her year employment at Princes Risborough School.

Erin La Porte was a newly qualified Religious Education teacher at the secondary school in Merton Road about four years ago, before she was suspended.

The General Teaching Council for England panel heard she admitted having sex with the pupil, who was male and over 16, over the school summer holidays at her home when she was 26.

A panel at the General Teacher Council heard last week the case against Ms La Porte, who did not attend although she was notified.

In the committee’s report it said: “We are satisfied that Ms La Porte’s conduct falls short of the standard expected of a registered teacher and is a breach of the standards of propriety expected of the profession.

"Accordingly her actions amount to unacceptable professional conduct.”

It said having sex with the pupil was entirely inappropriate and unprofessional and breached the Code of Conduct and Practice for Registered Teachers, including failing to put the well being and progress of children and young people first.

It has imposed a prohibition order which means Ms La Porte is struck off the teaching register indefinitely. She may apply for permission to re-register in four years.

The matter came to light after she confided details of the relationship to English teacher Zettie Taylor while they were on holiday together in Vietnam.

Mrs Taylor told her friend to contact her union when she returned and Mrs Taylor told headmaster Pete Rowe, who was then told by Ms La Porte a day later.

A single agency investigation was carried out by assistant headteacher, Wendy Mason, who is the designated child protection teacher at the school.

The pupil, Mrs Taylor and Ms La Porte were interviewed and Ms La Porte was formerly suspended by the school. She was dismissed for gross misconduct a few weeks later.

Princes Risborough School declined to comment.