A teacher who sent "inappropriate" and "sexually motivated" messages to two different pupils has been banned from the profession.
Dr Esther Garcia Rodriquez, 53, engaged in "inappropriate communications with pupils and sexually motivated conduct" over a significant period of time, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) conduct hearing found.
The science teacher, who began teaching Pupil A at Oxford Spires Academy in 2014, invited him to a birthday celebration dinner and gave him lifts alone to school.
She drove him to a pub and asked him if she should wear stockings and if he would like that and also gave him a sexually suggestive book called ‘The Reader’ about a relationship with an older woman.
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The panel found proven that on one occasion she drove Pupil A to a secluded location which, she said, was "because he wanted to speak about his relationship issues”.
She also used the phrase ‘love you’, or words to that effect in one or more communications with him.
After another student disclosed the relationship in May 2018 she left the school in August 2018.
But after the police seized her electronic devices it was discovered that while working at Fitzharrys School in Abingdon between May 2009 and 2010 she also had inappropriate communications with Pupil B.
In the messages Dr Garcia Rodriguez referred to the ex-pupil as being “good looking” and that they “looked pretty fine” the last time she saw them.
The messages speak about them meeting up and that Dr Garcia Rodriguez refers to the ex-pupil “keeping her as his secret to avoid embarrassment”.
The messages were very flirtatious, such as telling Pupil B he was “good looking”, discussing her “sexy” dress with “long low cleavage”
Dr Garcia Rodriguez said she would send the ex-pupil a photo so that they could “dream for the next two years”.
She tried to persuade the ex-pupil to meet her, and that the ex-pupil stated “well I know you will be screaming when we meet”, to which Dr Garcia Rodriguez replied “I should hope so!” with an emoji with a smiley face sticking its tongue out.
The teacher was made subject of a sexual risk order in January 2020 until July 2023 after police made the application.
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It meant she could not have or attempt to have any communication with a male under the age of 18 by webcam or any other way unless it is in unavoidable lawful daily life circumstances.
In imposing a prohibition order without a review period the panel found her written statement for the purpose of her January disciplinary hearing "showed a limited level of insight in respect of her inappropriate communications with pupils".
She stated: “I have reflected and I accept that the way I may have communicated with the students on occasion could be considered too familiar and crossing the professional boundary between teacher and student.
"I have always acted with the intention of seeking to engage the students in science; however, I can see that I have on occasions gotten this wrong."
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