Teacher failed to disclose partner was sex offender

A teacher who did not inform her school she was in a relationship with a registered sex offender has been banned from the profession.

Natalie Surr, who had worked at Shirebrook Academy in Nottinghamshire since September 2016, had her employment at the school ended in July 2024 following a disciplinary process.

According to a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) report, when questioned in January 2024 by a colleague about her relationship with a man named as Person A, she failed to disclose he was a sex offender, despite having known so since July 2023.

The report also states in September 2023 Surr had "inappropriately" arranged for a vulnerable pupil to do some gardening at her home.

The professional conduct panel meeting outcome report stated the body agreed to a request from Surr, who was the lead teacher of computing, for the allegations to be considered without a hearing.

Surr provided a signed statement of agreed facts and admitted that her conduct amounted to "unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute".

The report said the panel considered the case at a private meeting without the attendance of the presenting officer or Surr on 6 July.

A member of the public emailed the school in January 2024 to raise concerns Surr was "knowingly in a relationship with a registered sex offender", the report said.

This prompted the school to begin an internal investigation with Surr interviewed on 3 June 2024.

During the interview she confirmed she had been in a relationship with Person A for about a year but had not disclosed it because she had "not been sure whether the relationship was going to continue or not".

"She stated that she had researched online and had believed she did not need to inform her employer unless she and Person A were living together, which she stated they were not," the report said.

The panel was satisfied Surr had "multiple opportunities" to notify the school that she was in a relationship with a registered sex offender and she "failed to do so", it added.

The report also detailed how Surr arranged for a vulnerable pupil - referred to as Pupil A - to tidy up her garden at an empty property with no other adult present.

"The panel found that risks associated with gardening existed, in addition to the risks associated with handling dog faeces," the report said.

"It is not clear from the evidence whether Miss Surr had a plan in place to assist Pupil A in the event that a risk or injury materialise."

The report stated Surr paid the pupil £10 for the gardening.

The panel found Surr "deliberately concealed" her partner was a registered sex offender and that she had "inappropriately arranged" for a student to visit her home and tidy her garden for payment.

Surr was banned by the panel from teaching indefinitely, which means she cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.

She may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until 10 July 2029, three years from the date of this order at the earliest, it said.

A spokesperson for Aston Community Education Trust, which runs Shirebrook Academy, said: "The academy and trust take safeguarding extremely seriously and co-operated fully with the TRA investigation throughout.

"The individual concerned is no longer employed by the academy. As this is a personnel matter, we will not be commenting further."

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