BBC News, North East and Cumbria
BBCA teacher accused of entering into an “inappropriate” sexual relationship with a “vulnerable” ex-pupil has been banned from the profession.
A report by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) said David Blight, who taught at Prudhoe Community High School, Northumberland, had also requested sexual photographs and videos of the past student – known as Former Pupil A.
The pair would also meet to have sex in his car and public places such as woodland, and he had also offered her morphine, the report said.
The panel said the married 59-year-old’s behaviour was “unacceptable”, adding he had “brought the profession into disrepute”.
Mr Blight first joined the staff at the school in 1999 and had taught Former Pupil A from 2009 until 2011, which is when he became head of sixth form.
The pair had crossed paths again via social media in 2016, at which time she was in her third year at university.
Shortly afterwards, Former Pupil A’s mother reported their relationship to a GP who subsequently informed a Local Authority Designated Officer – responsible for managing allegations against adults who work with children.
The school then carried out an internal investigation and Mr Blight was dismissed from his job in January 2022, with the matter referred to the TRA.
Two-year review
Following evidence submitted at a misconduct panel hearing in February, the TRA also found that on “one or more occasions” Mr Blight had offered morphine to Former Pupil A.
He had also failed to disclose to the school that he was in a sexual relationship with her when she applied for work experience there “in or around November 2016”.
The panel described Mr Blight’s conduct as having fallen “significantly short of the standards expected of the profession”, adding that he regretted his behaviour and “the impact to his family and career”.
It stated that Mr Blight, who had a “previously good history”, can apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until a two-year review period expires in April 2027.
A panel will meet to deliberate should any appeal be lodged, and if unsuccessful he will remain barred from the profession for life.
