A teacher at a Stevenage secondary school who sent indecent images to a pupil, and asked her to reciprocate, has been barred from the profession for life.

Cornelius Jansen Van Vuuren, 36, was teaching at Barclay Academy and living in Royston when the incident was reported to police in 2023. 

After pleading guilty to causing or inciting sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17, Van Vuuren was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 hours, and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also handed a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel met earlier this month and decided to bar him from teaching for life.

Their report said: "His sending of [two] unsolicited indecent images and incitement to the pupil to reciprocate such behaviour demonstrated a clear risk to the safety and wellbeing of children and his conduct was fundamentally incompatible with his professional responsibilities.

"The panel observed concerning suggestions that he had formed an inappropriate interest in the pupil for some time, as evidenced by her police interview in which she described him frequently staring and winking at her.

"Mr Van Vuuren's messages reflected a manipulative and coercive disposition, indicating his clear intent to abuse his position of trust.

"The panel was concerned by the unknown means by which Mr Van Vuuren had obtained this pupil's phone number … for which he had provided no explanation.

"At no point, so far as the panel were aware, did he demonstrate any meaningful understanding of the gravity of his actions or express remorse."

One message sent by Van Vuuren read: "So grab your arse then Monday?". It was seen by the panel as "a clear indication of a threat of sexual behaviour".

The pupil said she was "shocked and scared" when she discovered it was Van Vuuren who was messaging her.

Van Vuuren had started working at Barclay as an agency teacher in September 2019, becoming a permanent staff member at the start of the following academic year.

He was dismissed on 30 June 2023 after the school was told by email about the messages he had sent. The school notified the police and the designated officer at the local authority. 

A spokesperson for Barclay Academy said: "We thank the panel for their time and welcome their decision.

"When we were informed of this behaviour in April 2023, we reported it to the police and LADO [Local Authority Designated Officer] immediately and dismissed the individual.

"We commend our former pupil for their bravery in coming forward – we will continue to prioritise safeguarding to ensure pupils feel safe, respected and supported at all times."