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A PE teacher who repeatedly had sex with a 15-year-old student has been banned from the classroom
The boy later sent a threatening letter to Alexandra Sharman, 31, at about the time he confided to a GP that he was the victim of "sex abuse".
The family doctor reported her behaviour to police but her victim, identified as Pupil A, refused to press charges.
After receiving the threatening letter Miss Sharman told the Hertfordshire school's former head of behaviour, safety and attendance – "Witness B" – that "lines had been crossed".
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The 15-year-old student refused to press charges against Alexandra Sharman
She also admitted the relationship to her family, a fellow teacher, "Witness A" , before telling her former boyfriend: "I've had sex with a pupil."
She was fired from Marriotts School in Stevenage – whose motto is "Aim high. Work hard. Be kind" – for gross misconduct after working there more than eight years.
Miss Sharman was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that could bring the profession into disrepute by a professional conduct panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
The panel said the "inappropriate relationship between Miss Sharman and Pupil A involved engaging in sexual activity including sexual intercourse on more than one occasion.
"Based on the totality of the evidence the panel are satisfied there was an intimate and sustained relationship between Miss Sharman and Pupil A over an extended period."
The Coventry hearing was told the relationship with Pupil A began when he was in Year 10.
Pupil A disclosed to his GP that he had been the victim of alleged sexual abuse
Panel chairman Janet Draper
Panel chairman Janet Draper said: "The allegation came to light in approximately June 2015 when Pupil A disclosed to his GP that he had been the victim of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Miss Sharman when asked why he was 'depressed'.
"Pupil A's GP passed this information on to the Hertfordshire Constabulary. On 20 June 2015, Miss Sharman spoke to a friend and school colleague, Witness B, about a threatening letter that she had received from Pupil A and the nature of her relationship with him.
"On 21 June 2015, Miss Sharman also told her friend and school colleague, Witness A about the letter from Pupil A and disclosed the nature of her relationship with him.
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Miss Sharman did not attend the hearing and did not wish to be represented by her union
"On 21 June 2015 Witness B informed the Head Teacher at the school of the disclosure made to her by Miss Sharman."
Miss Sharman was suspended on 23 June 2015. The following months Pupil A was interviewed by police on the 19 July 2015 and said he did not want to make a formal complaint of a crime.
The School was informed by the police in December 2015 they would not be pursuing criminal prosecution against Miss Sharman.
Miss Sharman submitted a letter of resignation on 12 January 2016 before the subsequent school investigation had been completed.
Mrs Draper said: "The panel carefully considered the written statement provided from Pupil A.
"The panel approached Pupil A's evidence with great care and caution due to the manner in which he raised his relationship directly with Ms Sharman, namely the threatening letter he wrote to her, which gave the panel considerable cause for concern."
Miss Sharman did not attend the hearing and did not wish her union the NASUWT to represent her her.
Mrs Draper said: "The panel considered Pupil A's statement and the various descriptions he had given of the sexual activity which took place.
"Having carefully considered the evidence before it the panel are satisfied that the inappropriate relationship between Miss Sharman and Pupil A involved engaging in sexual activity including sexual intercourse on more than one occasion.
"Based on the totality of the evidence the panel are satisfied there was an intimate and sustained relationship between Ms Sharman and Pupil A over an extended period.
"On 20 June 2015, Ms Sharman told Witness B about the letter she had received from Pupil A and disclosed that "lines had been crossed".
"Next day Miss Sharman told Witness A about it and confirmed the relationship.
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The 'abuse' was revealed after the boy told his GP about the alleged nature of the relationship
Mrs Draper said: "Miss Sharman's ex-boyfriend arrived later that evening and Miss Sharman told him about the letter from Pupil A and said 'I've had sex with a student'.
"Shortly after she repeated this disclosure to her sister and parents. Both these disclosures took place in the presence of Witness A.
"On 21 June 2015, Witness B spoke to Miss Sharman by telephone and told her she would be informing the Head Teacher at the school of the disclosure."
Miss Sharman was prohibited from teaching indefinitely which means she cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.
Mrs Draper said: "There is no evidence Miss Sharman's action were not deliberate and there is no evidence to suggest she was acting under duress.
"In fact, the panel found the teacher's actions to be calculated and intentional."
Decision maker Jayne Millions, on behalf of Education Secretary Justine Greening, said the case was so serious Miss Sharman will not be allowed to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.
A female PE teacher who repeatedly had sex with a 15-year-old student has been banned from the classroom
The 'abuse' was revealed after the boy told his GP about the alleged nature of his relationship with the teacher
The 15-year-old student refused to press charges against Alexandra Sharman
Miss Sharman did not attend the hearing and did not wish to be represented by her union
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