Sex Shame Teacher Struck Off For Affair With Teenage Boy

Sex Shame Teacher Struck Off For Affair With Teenage Boy
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A married teacher who had an affair with a teenage boy in '10 days of madness' has been struck off.

Last month, Mum-of-three Bernadette Smith, 35, was given a two-year supervision order and was put on the sex offenders' register after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with 16-year-old Gary Ralston after teaching him at Bannockburn High in Stirling.

But papers released by the General Teaching Council reveal she has now been permanently banned from the classroom.

The GTC said: "She indicated to GTC Scotland that she wished to be removed from GTC Scotland's Register in view of the allegation made against her relating to her fitness to teach.

"In accordance with Rule 3.7.1, she was issued a Removal with Consent Order. This Order has been signed and returned by the Respondent."

Smith, from Denny, Stirlingshire, waived her right to a full hearing at the GTC in Edinburgh.

She will be served with the official papers within 14 days and has 28 days to appeal against the decision.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard last month how the affair, which started with kissing in a park and ended with her spending the night in the teenager's bed, had cost her reputation.

The court heard that Smith told police and colleagues she was 'in love' with Gary, who she had taught and also given after-school tuition.

The affair started in Smith's classroom, where she confessed her feelings to the boy, before the pair went to a park and had their first kiss.

However, Gary's grandmother found out what the pair were doing and told the school, which suspended Smith immediately.

Smith then visited the house Gary shared with his father, Richard, and she and Gary spent the night together in the teenager's bed.

She later told police that she had told Mr Ralston about her feelings for his son.

After the criminal court case, Gary, who waived his anonymity to speak of the relationship, said he didn't know how the affair had happened, but that Smith had always been his favourite teacher.

He said: "I was thinking I was quite lucky. A lot of the boys fancied her. I couldn't believe she was with me."

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