IT IS always a cause of major concern when we read about teachers who are either inept or devious and dangerous.

Today we report the worrying case of business studies teacher Richard Hook, banned from the profession for three years for inappropriate activities involving pupils at Cherwell School.

He was caught giving a gift that included heart-shaped earrings to one pupil, sending inappropriate emails to another and texting a third.

And it appears he even ignored the “guidance” issued to him – we presume in a strong manner – by then-headteacher Neal McGowan to stop it.

A disciplinary panel said there was no allegation this behaviour was sexually motivated. So on best reading Mr Hook was clearly acting stupidly rather than maliciously.

This is at the lower end of several cases recently where teachers have completely overstepped the boundary of their profession and moved what should be a professional relationship to one that is personal.

Technology and social media has done much to facilitate this but is mystifying why these people cannot understand they are not employed to be friends with children. Because that’s what they are: children.

The one positive out of this is that Mr Hook seems to have been exposed quickly and dealt with by the education system.