Teacher 'emotionally blackmailed' girl - and was still working with kids two years on
18.03.2024 - 10:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A teacher who 'emotionally blackmailed' a schoolgirl was able to continue working with children for two years after the allegations first came to light.
Bethany Woodcock was banned from the classroom after forming an inappropriate relationship with the pupil at the Newhouse Academy in Heywood, Lancs Live reports. She told the girl 'you are safe with me' and 'I'm never leaving you ever', a teacher misconduct hearing found.
But despite the ban, the 29-year-old allegedly went on to work as a teaching assistant. Before the ban, she volunteered as a leader at a Scouts group in Lancashire.
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Miss Woodcock had been able to continue working with children for almost two years after the allegations first surfaced. She first started working as a maths teacher at the Hollingworth Learning Trust at Newhouse Academy in Heywood in April 2020.
In November 2021 the school launched an investigation regarding a relationship with a female pupil but she resigned before the investigation concluded, in February 2022. An investigation was also launched by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) which looks into cases of serious teacher misconduct.
Following an investigation, in June 2023 she was banned from teaching indefinitely, and prohibited from teaching 'in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England'. A TRA panel found that Miss Woodcock had 'emotionally blackmailed' the vulnerable female pupil.
They also concluded she had 'relished the flattery she was receiving' from the girl who found her attractive, told her 'you're the sweetest' and hugged her on several occasions. The