Married teacher struck off and banned over ‘inappropriate’ messages to student

A married teacher has been banned from classrooms after sending a pupil flirty late-night messages.

James Samson, 46, asked for a teenage girl’s personal phone number before sending ‘weird’ texts and emails.

The dad-of-two was a form tutor and head of geography at £46,000-a-year boarding school Luckley House in Berkshire.

He sent messages including: ‘Shame I couldn’t get you back into my cupboard… To find a folder (with a winky face)’

Another said: ‘I was just looking at you and not listening to (Person X) anyway.’

He also told her: ‘Hey you! You know you are more than welcome to come and chill in my room for revision whenever.’

He added: ‘Ah that’s nice, I have to say that I always find it far more enjoyable when you’re there too! Not sure why!’

These messages spanned WhatsApp, email and texts between February 2023 and May 2024, a disciplinary panel heard.

They were even sent late at night and even on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

The exchanges ran to more than 40 pages, the panel heard.

The pupil said the messages left her ‘uncomfortable’ and described them as ‘weird’ and ‘un-teacher-like’.

She added: ‘It seemed there was something behind it but I wasn’t clear what.’

Concerns were raised in June 2024 and the school launched an investigation, with Samson being sacked the following month.

One witness described his behavior as showing the ‘early signs of grooming’.

The disciplinary panel ruled Samson’s conduct was ‘highly inappropriate’ and ‘significantly short’ of expectations.

Samson admitted sending the messages but denied they were sexually motivated.

The teacher has now been banned from the profession in England and cannot aply to return until April 2028.

Since leaving his job he now works as a ‘Professional Tree Inspector’.

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