Teacher who had sex with school pupil is banned

A HEXHAM teacher began a sexual relationship with a teenager when she was still a student at his school - and then continued it for months after she left for university.

- SAM VOLPE Reporter

The female student - known only as Pupil A - described how the actions of former Queen Elizabeth High School teacher Andrew Brook, 61, had left her feeling “as though I couldn't say no to him” because of his position.

Mr Brook has now been banned from teaching for life. He had worked at the school for more than two decades, having started there in 1995.

But he began a sexual relationship with the teenager and, over the course of a year and a half, he sent personal messages to her, gave her a Christmas present and confessed feelings for her.

He then kissed her, had sex with her and told her he loved her. He continued the relationship when the teenager went on to university.

A Teaching Regulation Agency hearing found that Mr Brook had “sought to exploit his position of trust”. The hearing also heard heartbreaking evidence from the pupil.

In a written statement she said: “Looking back at the relationship, I believe there was a lot of manipulation by Mr Brook. He was older and in a position of authority.

“I felt as though I could not say no to him in the relationship because of the position he was in.

“He had a lot of influence over me - he could have probably told me to do anything and I would have done it.”