Coventry teacher who told pupil her 'boobs were popping out' banned from classroom

Gareth Llewellyn was employed at Sidney Stringer Academy for more than three years



A Coventry teacher has been banned from the classroom after he was found to have committed inappropriate behaviour including telling a girl pupil her "boobs were popping out".

Gareth Llewellyn was employed at Sidney Stringer Academy for more than three years but was suspended in May 2023 after an investigation by the school.

A Teaching Regulation Agency report published on Friday, October 17 found proven a string of allegations about his conduct. They also included that he asked a pupil for their mobile number and email address, viewed a student's social media account and exchanged inappropriate and over-familiar emails.

He was also accused of hugging a pupil and making inappropriate comments about one's body. He was also said to have arranged unauthorised meetings at the school, and taking two girls shopping.

Mr Llewellyn's behaviour was described by the panel as a "gross abuse of trust". It said some of the students involved were known to have been vulnerable. The panel rejected his claims his behaviour was intended to be "paternal" and "supportive".

The panel was shown messages Mr Llewellyn sent. One invited a pupil to "expose your feelings and not keep them bottled in". He also offered "a supportive hug from an old man" signing it off "Cheeky!! There will be more".

One read "…what an amazing young lady you are. Those lives that are fortunate enough to have you in them are very lucky. I count myself as one of those".

Claims found proven by the panel included that Mr Llewellyn made comments about a vulnerable pupil's appearance.

On one occasion he was alleged to have said to her “looking at your body now, it’s a really nice body and your weight is all in the correct areas”.

On another he was said to have told the same girl “your boobs are popping out," also telling her she was the "prettiest girl".

The report said: "The panel considered Mr Llewellyn had committed a gross breach of his position of trust in respect of each of the students in this matter. The students had trusted Mr Llewellyn and he had abused that by breaching professional boundaries, in some instances in pursuit of a future sexual relationship.

"Some of these students had been vulnerable, which aggravated this breach of trust. He had also presented himself as attempting to help his students, when in fact his motives were self-serving.

"For these reasons, the panel was satisfied the conduct of Mr Llewellyn amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. Accordingly, the panel was satisfied Mr Llewellyn was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct."

The report concludes: "This means Gareth Llewellyn is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided Mr Llewellyn shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach."

The prohibition order takes immediate effect, but Mr Llewellyn has the right to appeal the decision to the High Court within 28 days.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-teacher-who-told-pupil-32706116