WHILE no school ever wants to have to deal with a case where a teacher has sex with a pupil, Princes Risborough School deserves credit for its handling of this unfortunate situation.

Newly qualified Religious Education teacher Erin La Porte admitted to a friend she had sex with a pupil – who was over the age of 16 – and was later suspended and dismissed from the school. Last week a General Teaching Council panel banned her from teaching for “unacceptable professional conduct”.

But when the matter emerged the school did not need prompting or pressure from outside bodies. It acted quickly and decisively to send a clear message that this behaviour was unacceptable. The UK has been dogged by scandals like this for far too long. There have been times, unfortunately, when some schools have been far too slow to respond or even seemed content to sweep the matter under the carpet. But we heartily agree with Buckinghamshire County Council’s education chief Steven Adams when he praises Princes Risborough School’s handling of this matter.

After it was brought to light an investigation was carried out, interviews were held and appropriate measures taken.

Despite the unpleasantness of the case, we think parents should take comfort from the school’s swift and intelligent response.

We hope if and when such scandals should emerge again, other schools will follow this example and behave in a similarly speedy and professional way.