A primary school teacher has been charged with serious misconduct after he sent confidential emails from the father of one of his students to the student’s mother. The teacher was having a relationship with the student’s mother who was separated from the father. The teacher failed to disclose to the father that he was in a relationship with his former wife.

The Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal held that the teacher’s behaviour constituted serious misconduct as it had brought discredit to the profession.

The Tribunal held that the teacher had failed to establish an open, honest and respectful relationship with the student’s father, and had failed to respect his privacy when he made enquiries about the student.

The Tribunal censured the teacher and cancelled his registration after he denied, and then later admitted to, having a relationship with the student’s mother and forwarding her the emails.