Former Prince William School teacher Ross Clark banned for sending inappropriate messages to pupil

A teacher who told a pupil he was “falling in love” with her has been banned from the classroom.

Ross Clark, 39, who taught at Prince William School in Oundle, was banned for a minimum of four years by the National Council for Teaching and Leadership, which found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The panel found that among other things Clark had told the girl that he was “falling in love” with her, revealed inappropriate details of his private life to her, sent her an e-mail saying he was going to “smoke a couple of joints”, and gave her £500 in cash.

He had also sent her an e-mail in which he said he was “crying” as he responded and he was “weak”, “pathetic”, “unfair” and a “terrible person”.

Imposing the ban on behalf of Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, council deputy director Alan Meyrick said Clark’s behaviour “fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.”

He said a four-year review period would allow “sufficient time” for Clark to “develop the necessary insight and reflection to address his serious departure from the personal and professional conduct elements of the teachers’ standards”.

Clark has the right to appeal to the High Court.