A 36-year-old drama teacher, Megan Lanning, has been permanently barred from teaching after sending explicit selfies to a student at Ripplevale School and College, an independent institution in Rochester, Kent, specializing in education for students with learning difficulties.

The incident, which came to light in February 2024, has sparked significant concern about professional boundaries and safeguarding in educational settings.

Lanning, who taught music and performing arts, admitted to developing “inappropriate feelings” for a student, referred to as Pupil A. She confessed to sending two explicit images: one described as “half-naked showing her boobs” and another that “could possibly be seen as her performing a sexual act.”

These images were sent via phone and social media platforms, including Instagram, where Lanning and the student engaged in lengthy conversations discussing their mutual feelings.

In a statement, Lanning revealed her mindset at the time, saying, “I just wanted to give [them] all of me and wanted [them] to think I was amazing.” She described their connection as being “wrapped up in one another,” highlighting the depth of the inappropriate relationship.

The teacher reported herself to the school’s safeguarding team, expressing remorse and describing her actions as “lunacy.”

She later stated she was “disgusted and repulsed” by her behavior and lived in “constant fear” of media exposure.

Despite her self-reporting and expressions of regret, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel deemed her actions “sexually motivated” and a severe breach of professional conduct.

The TRA hearing, held in Coventry, West Midlands, reviewed evidence of Lanning’s communications with Pupil A, which included hours-long phone calls and daily messaging.

The panel concluded that the images were “inherently sexual in nature” and that Lanning’s pursuit of a relationship with the student constituted a gross misuse of her position of trust.

Panel chair Alan Wells emphasized the seriousness of the misconduct, stating, “The conduct of Miss Lanning amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.”

Marc Cavey, signing off on the lifetime ban on behalf of Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, underscored the damage to the teaching profession’s reputation.

He noted, “I am particularly mindful of the finding of a teacher sending naked photographs of herself to a pupil in this case and the very negative impact that such a finding is likely to have.”

Lanning was banned indefinitely from teaching in any school, sixth form college, or children’s home in England, with no option to reapply for eligibility.

Ripplevale School, where annual fees can reach £45,000, acted swiftly upon Lanning’s self-report. The school suspended her in February 2024 and informed the relevant authorities, including the Local Authority Designated Officer.

Following a disciplinary hearing in March 2024, Lanning was dismissed for professional misconduct. A spokesperson for the school reiterated their commitment to student safety, stating, “The safety of our pupils is our overriding priority.

As soon as a concern was raised about this member of staff, she was suspended, and we immediately informed the relevant authorities.”