Teacher accused of sexual activity with pupil 'caught on CCTV emerging from stage with 14-year-old'

The former head of drama is also said to have told another pupil she was 'too attractive to teach'

Tottington High School in Bury (Margaret Clough/Creative Commons)

A drama teacher who engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old pupil was caught on CCTV footage which showed him emerging from under a school stage with her, a tribunal has heard.

Marc Richardson, 34, is alleged to have begun a sexual relationship with the teenager (Pupil B) in 2014, sending her messages of a sexual nature via text and WhatsApp.

The former head of drama at a school in Bury, is also said to have told another pupil (Pupil A) she was “too attractive to teach”, touched her inappropriately and sent her flirtatious messages on Twitter.

The Manchester Evening News reports that these events led to Mr Richardson being arrested then released by police without charge. He resigned in May 2014.

He reportedly admitted to the allegations by Pupil A, but a representative denied he had an affair with Pupil B, the Daily Mail reported. He claimed Pupil B was a victim of bullying and that he had been asked to look after her.

However, last week the National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and concluded his conduct with Pupil B was "sexually motivated.

The NCTL panel will now write to the Education Secretary recommending he be banned from teaching.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed to The Independent that a 32-year-old man was arrested last year on suspicion of sexual activity with a child and the sexual grooming of a child. A full investigation was conducted and he was released without charge.