A principal teacher at a Rutherglen secondary school has been banned from the profession after sending a inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl.
Craig Smith, the head of drama at Stonelaw High , asked the young pupil what she was wearing and sent pictures of himself to her via Facebook Messenger.
The 37-year-old initiated conversations with the teenager on 15 separate occasions, used foul language, discussed alcohol and made a number of comments about his colleagues, as well as asking to see pictures of her.
Smith – who previously ran a South Lanarkshire drama school and auditioned on ill-fated TV show Soapstars – blamed a family illness and the pressure of a promotion at work for his behaviour.
Despite this, a General Teaching Council for Scotland hearing found that “the conduct demonstrated in the allegation was fundamentally incompatible with the conduct of a registered teacher” and banned him from the classroom for two years.
Smith sent a video of himself in his garden, a picture of him on a stag do and a picture of himself in a kilt to the girl, whom he taught.
He admitted the allegations against him and was struck off the teaching register. He cannot apply to be re-registered for two years.
In a written ruling, the General Teaching Council for Scotland stated: “Conversations, comments and questions by the teacher related to Pupil A’s appearance, what she was wearing at the time, alcohol, the school and teachers.
“There was also evidence of the teacher requesting photographs of Pupil A. Throughout the conversations the teacher used inappropriate language and swore on a number of occasions in a number of different ways.
“The teacher’s admitted conduct fell short of the expected professional standard. The allegation was very serious indeed and the conduct demonstrated in the allegation was fundamentally incompatible with the conduct of a registered teacher.
“The conduct had persisted for some time. The teacher had sought to explain the reasons which led to the conduct. He had apologised for the conduct and demonstrated remorse.
“The panel concluded that the shortfalls identified in the conduct had not been remediated and that at this stage there was a likelihood of reoccurrence.”
Smith told the GTCS that he apologised for his behaviour and the adverse impact it had on the pupil, her family, his colleagues and his family.
He said that his first contact with the pupil had been while intoxicated and was a grave error of judgment.
South Lanarkshire Council declined to comment on the case, but a source confirmed Smith was no longer employed in any capacity by the local authority.
