Teacher's sick excuse for sending nudes to pupil at special needs school

A female teacher who has been banned from classrooms for life for sending nude pictures of herself gave a pathetic excuse for her actions.

Megan Lanning, 36, known only as Pupil A while she was teaching performing arts and music at Ripplevale School and College in Rochester, Kent. The Teaching Regulation Agency heard that the first image showed her topless while the second saw her genitals were covered only by her hand which was

During a private hearing in Coventry, West Midlands, it emerged that Lanning did not solicit or receive any photos in return.

The panel confirmed the allegation and concluded that it constituted an inappropriate relationship with Pupil A, noting that the images were "inherently sexual in nature". Lanning started her role at Ripplevale School and College, an independent institution catering to students with learning difficulties, where fees can soar up to £45,000 annually, in January 2018.

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In February of the previous year, she revealed to the safeguarding team that she harboured 'inappropriate feelings' towards Pupil A. In a candid email, she acknowledged her communication with Pupil A through phone and social media, including sending them two nude photos, and disclosed that they had spent extensive time on the phone discussing their mutual affection.

Lanning confessed that she and the student were "wrapped up in one another." Explaining her actions, she said: "I remember at the time I just wanted to give [them] all of me and wanted [them] to think I was amazing."

She admitted to having lengthy phone calls with Pupil A, messaging him daily, and engaging in unacceptable professional conduct. Lanning expressed her disgust and repulsion at her own actions, living "in constant fear" of them being exposed in the media.

Panel chair Alan Wells commented: "It was clear Miss Lanning was pursuing some sort of relationship and/or sexual gratification. She had developed feelings for a pupil at the school in respect of whom she was in a position of power and authority and had acted upon this by sending photographs of herself of a sexual nature."

Mr Wells further stated: "The conduct of Miss Lanning amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

Explaining her actions, Lanning insisted that if she took time to understand herself and spent more time working on her emotional wellbeing and relationships, she would have made better choices.

In addition, she said that looking back, she was not managing stress effectively, lacked emotional intelligence and her relationship was suffering.

The hearing was told: "Miss Lanning stated that she feels sick every time she thinks about what she did now. She stated it was not something she would ever think of doing again, and the consequences of what she did have been 'so hard to bear'."

Mr Wells reiterated: "The conduct of Miss Lanning amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession, particularly in circumstances where she had acted upon her feelings for a pupil in a way which the panel had found to be sexually motivated."

Lanning has been issued an indefinite teaching ban in England, forever barred from rejoining the register. Signing off on the lifetime ban on behalf of education secretary Bridget Phillipson, civil servant Marc Cavey concluded: "I am particularly mindful of the finding of a teacher sending naked photographs of herself to a pupil in this case and the very negative impact that such a finding is likely to have on the reputation of the profession.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Miss Lanning shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach."