Panel Consideration Meeting - Conduct - Teacher F
Definitions
Any reference in this outcome to:
- ‘GTC Scotland’ means the General Teaching Council for Scotland;
- the ‘Panel’ means the Fitness to Teach Panel considering the case;
- the ‘Rules’ (and any related expression) means the GTC Scotland Fitness to Teach Rules 2017 or refers to a provision (or provisions) within them;
- the ‘Register’ means the GTC Scotland Register of teachers; and
- ‘COPAC’ means the GTC Scotland Code of Professionalism and Conduct 2012.
Notification of Meeting
The Panel had before it a copy of the Notice of Panel Consideration, dated 26 November 2024. The Panel was satisfied that the Teacher had been provided with notice of the meeting in accordance with Rules 1.6 and 2.3.1. Accordingly, the Panel proceeded to consider the case.
Preliminary Matters
None.
Allegation(s)
- The Teacher, whilst on [redacted] the Teacher did:
- (a) On 17 May 2021 falsely state to Person A and Person B that she had received a call from [redacted] informing her that she had been diagnosed with Leukaemia.
- (b) Between 21 May 2021 and 31 May 2021 falsely state to Person A and Person B that she was beginning chemotherapy.
- (c) On 29 June 2021 falsely state to Person A and Person B that she had part of her lung removed at [redacted].
- (d) On 24 June 2021 attend [redacted] to speak with children whilst using crutches which were not required in connection with her false cancer diagnosis.
- (e) On 8 July 2021 send a video of herself walking without crutches to Person B.
- (f) Between July 2021 and May 2023 send a large number of emails to Person A and Person B whilst pretending to be her mother providing false updates about her health.
- (g) On 22 July 2021 falsely state to Person A that she removed her hair due to the effects of chemotherapy.
- The Teachers’ actions at Allegation 1 were dishonest or, in the alternative, lacking in integrity.
- The Teacher, whilst employed by [redacted] did:
- (a) On 7 September 2021 falsely state to Person B that she was having an operation to remove her entire lung in [redacted] Hospital.
- (b) Between 7 September 2021 and 14 September 2021 falsely state to Person A and Person B that they could have no contact with her as she was in intensive care.
- (c) On 4 November 2021 send a video of herself to Person B using crutches she did not require.
- (d) Between 10 January 2022 and 24 June 2022 falsely state Person A and Person B on multiple occasions that she had been accepted onto cancer trials and was receiving a range of different cancer treatments.
- (e) Between 24 January 2022 and 25 January 2022 falsely state to Person B that her treatment was not successful and that her cancer was incurable.
- (f) Between 12 February 2022 and 28 April 2022 invite Person A and Person B to a fictious wedding.
- (g) On 20 February 2022 attend [redacted] and spend time with children whilst using a wheelchair she did not require.
- (h) Between, in, or around November 2021 and 24 February 2022 send multiple pictures of herself to Person B wearing a nasal cannula she did not require.
- (i) On 25 February 2022 falsely state to Person B that she had a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and had been given 6 months to live.
- (j) Between 26 February 2022 and 27 April 2022 ask a child at [redacted] to be a bridesmaid at her fictitious wedding and send her a bridesmaid dress.
- (k) On 7 March 2022 falsely state Person A and Person B that she was on a ventilator due to complications from Covid-19.
- (l) Between 1 April 2022 and 19 April 2022 falsely state to Person A and Person B that the cancer had spread to her leg and knee.
- (m) On 16 April 2022 state to Person B that they had been added to her will and would receive money when she died.
- (n) On 13 May 2022, whilst pretending to be her mother, falsely state to Person B that she was “tired now and struggling” and that her breathing was “very sporadic”, which caused Person B to believe she was in a coma.
- (o) On 15 May 2022 send messages to Person B pretending to be a male called [redacted].
- (p) On 19 May 2022 send voice notes to Person B pretending to be on a ventilator.
- (q) Between 25 May 2022 and 26 May 2022 falsely state to Person B that there was cancer growth in her leg and lung.
- (r) Between 28 June 2022 and 13 May 2023 falsely state to Person B that she was due to arrive in [redacted] via air ambulance, resulting in staff and children attending a helipad to meet her.
- (s) Between 29 June 2022 and 5 August 2022 falsely state to Person A and Person B that she had her leg amputated and was getting a prosthetic leg.
- (t) On 3 August 2022 send a post to Person B entitled ‘I Miss My Life’ whereby she falsely spoke about living with cancer.
- The Teacher’s actions at Allegation 3 were dishonest or, in the alternative, lacking in integrity.
- The Teacher, whilst employed by [redacted] did:
- (a) On 13 September 2022 send a picture to Person B of her holding a wig she did not require.
- (b) On 16 September 2022 attend [redacted] to speak with staff and children whilst wearing a fake prosthetic leg.
- (c) On 22 September 2022 falsely state to Person A and Person B that cancer had spread to her other leg and that she was waiting to hear if it had spread to her brain.
- (d) Between 22 September 2022 and 3 October 2022 falsely state Person B that she was having fits.
- (e) Between 3 October 2022 and 13 October 2022, whilst pretending to be her mother, falsely state to Person A and Person B that she had suffered a stroke and had been in a coma, resulting in her having stunted speech.
- (f) Between 19 June 2022 and 20 November 2022 create a fake Stand Up 2 Cancer video and send it to staff at [redacted].
- (g) On 26 November 2022 falsely state to Person B that she would leave [redacted] £3500 in her will.
- (h) Between 1 December 2022 and 13 May 2023 falsely state to Person A and Person B that she was a patient in [redacted], resulting in staff and children attending the hospice to visit her and drop off gifts.
- (i) On 6 December 2022 falsely state to Person B that her kidneys were failing, and that she required dialysis.
- (j) On 15 December 2022 send an email to Primary 6 children at [redacted], falsely stating that she had received cancer treatments.
- (k) On 31 December 2022 create and send a fake picture of herself to Person A and Person B with no hair on her head.
- (l) On 31 January 2023 falsely state to Person A and Person B that scan results showed that she was in remission.
- (m) On 21 February 2023 visit [redacted] and spoke to children whilst using pretend stunted speech and a wheelchair she did not require.
- (n) On 22 February 2023 attend [redacted] with children from [redacted] whilst using a wheelchair she did not require.
- (o) Between 13 March 2023 and 19 March 2023, whilst pretending to be her mother, send messages to Person B stating that her body was giving up and that she was unlikely to survive.
- (p) On 12 May 2023 falsely state to Person B that she was sexually assaulted by a [redacted].
- (q) On an unknown date create and send personal videos to Person A and B and request that they were watched when she passes away.
- (r) Between 5 March 2023 and 14 March 2023, whilst pretending to be her auntie, send multiple emails to [redacted] falsely stating that she was a patient at [redacted].
- (s) On 18 March 2023, whilst pretending to be her auntie, falsely state to Person C, an [redacted] that she had died.
- (t) On 29 March 2023, whilst pretending to be her auntie, provided an address to Person C, an [redacted] and asked for any gifts that had been addressed to her to be posted.
- (u) In or around April 2023, whilst pretending to be her mother and father, send a card to [redacted], providing false information about her dying.
- The Teachers’ actions at Allegation 5 were dishonest or, in the alternative, lacking in integrity.
In light of the above, it is alleged that the Teacher’s fitness to teach is impaired and that she is unfit to teach as a result of breaching Parts 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, and 2.3 of the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s Code of Professionalism and Conduct (COPAC) 2012.
Information Available to the Panel
- Final Investigation Report, dated 25 November 2024, with appendices:
- Response to the Notice of Investigation, dated 19 January 2024;
- Emails – 5 March 2023 to 6 April 2023;
- Card Sent to Person C, dated April 2023 – May 2023;
- Video Bridesmaid Dress;
- Video 1, undated;
- Video 2, undated;
- Video 3, undated;
- Video 4, undated;
- Video 5, undated;
- Video 6, undated;
- Video 7, undated;
- Screenshots of Messages, dated May 2021 – May 2023;
- I Miss my Life Message, dated 4 August 2022;
- Bridesmaid Request, undated;
- Stand Up to Cancer Screenshot;
- Stand Up to Cancer Video, dated 20 November 2022;
- Emails to Person A, dated July 2021 – May 2023;
- GTC Scotland Witness Statement – Person C, dated 23 February 2024;
- GTC Scotland Witness Statement – [redacted], dated 27 May 2024;
- GTC Scotland Witness Statement – Person B, dated 21 May 2024;
- GTC Scotland Witness Statement – Person A, dated 16 May 2024;
- Response to Interim Report, dated 28 October 2024, with appendices including
- Expert report of [redacted], chartered clinical psychologist, dated 30 March 2024;
- GTCS reflective account (April 2024), dated January 2024 to April 2024;
- GTCS reflective account (October 2024), dated May 2024 to October 2024
- Reflection on TRO decision, dated May 2024;
- Reflective log, dated 1 January 2024 to 9 October 2024;
- Reflection on COPAC (January to April 2024), dated January 2024 to April 2024;
- Reflection on COPAC (April to date), dated April 2024 to October 2024;
- Maintaining Professional Ethics CPD certificate, dated 6 August 2024 to 8 August 2024;
- Maintaining Professional Ethics workbook, undated;
- Reflection on Maintaining Professional Ethics three-day course, dated 7 May 2024 to 8 August 2024;
- Restoration and development plan, dated August 2024;
- CPD log (2023-24), dated 22 August 2023 to 29 March 2024;
- CPD log (2024-25), dated 19 August 2024 to 16 September 2024;
- CPD plan (2024-25), dated 2024 to 2025;
- CPD reflective log (January to April 2024), dated January 2024 to April 2024;
- CPD reflective log (April to date), dated April 2024 to October 2024;
- Mentor meeting notes, dated 27 March 2024 to 10 October 2024;
- Parent feedback, dated 7 September 2022 to 28 June 2024;
- Testimonial - [redacted], dated 20 February 2024;
- Testimonial - [redacted], dated 17 February 2024;
- Testimonial - [redacted], dated 11 February 2024;
- Testimonial - [redacted], undated; and
- Letter from [redacted] Psychologist, dated 2 October 2024.
In response to the notice, the Teacher provided the following additional information for consideration by the Panel:
- Response to Final Report, dated 20 December 2024, with appendices.
- Colleague Feedback
- Parental Feedback
- Letter (emailed) from [redacted], dated 18 December 2024
Teacher’s Response
The Teacher admits the allegations in full. However, in respect of her current fitness to teach her position is as follows. The Teacher has stated that, given her admission of the allegations, (and notwithstanding extensive submissions on reflection and remediation on her part) nonetheless she accepts that the Panel may conclude that her fitness to teach is currently impaired on the grounds of public interest. She also stated that she believes it would not be appropriate for this case to be referred to a full hearing, and she would agree to a consent order.
Summary of Evidence and Submissions
The Teacher admits the allegations, which, in essence, show a pattern of behaviour on her part between May 2021 and May 2023, whereby she falsely made out that she was seriously and terminally ill, and made numerous representations to this effect to numerous individuals, including teaching staff and pupils.
This was a chronic and elaborate deception, which she knew to be false throughout her perpetuation of it, and to which end she went to significant lengths to enhance its prospect of being believed, including by filming and sending videos of herself wearing breathing apparatus that she did not need, by using a wheelchair that she did not need, and by sending emails while pretending it was her mother who was their author. Reference is made to the allegations themselves, above, for more detail, all of which are admitted. Reference is also made to the list of evidence, also above, yet where no further consideration of same is necessary here given the Teacher’s said admissions.
Decision
The Panel considered all of the information available to it as described above. The Panel had a range of options open to it, as set out at Rule 2.3.2 (a) to (f). The Panel had regard to the factors set out in the GTC Scotland Panel Consideration Practice Statement.
The Panel did not consider it appropriate to dispose of the case in accordance with Rule 2.3.2 (a).
The Panel reached this conclusion for the following reasons:
The matter amounts to Relevant Conduct and there is on the face of it, a real prospect of a finding that the Teacher’s fitness to teach is impaired. The Panel considered the following factors relevant in that the conduct alleged relates to:
- Abuse of a teacher’s position of trust
- Forming inappropriate relationships with pupils/young people
- Mis-use of social media where it relates to a teacher’s practice, displays discriminatory or intolerant views or includes abusive or offensive language or it raises any other serious concern
- Fraud or dishonesty
- Other serious activities which cause harm and affect public confidence
The Panel considered the relevant Parts of COPAC to be:
- Part 1 – Professionalism and maintaining trust in the profession (specifically 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6); and
- Part 2 – Professional responsibilities towards Pupils (specifically 2.3).
The Panel considered the following additional factors to be relevant in their decision:
- The matter has not already been considered.
- The matter is not frivolous or vexatious.
- The allegation(s) have not been made anonymously or by a person who has failed to cooperate with the investigation.
The Panel did not consider it appropriate to dismiss the case on the basis of an insufficiency of evidence as provided for by Rule 2.3.2 (b). The allegations have been admitted by the Teacher. Furthermore, the Panel did not consider the referral to be malicious.
Fitness to Teach
Having determined the above, the Panel next asked itself whether the Teacher’s fitness to teach is currently impaired (and if so to what extent) and carefully considered all of the available information and had regard to Part A of the GTC Scotland Fitness to Teach Conduct Cases – Indicative Outcomes Guidance during its consideration.
The Panel found the Teacher had placed herself in breach of the following parts of COPAC for the reasons set out below:
Part 1.3
You should avoid situations both within and outwith the professional context which could be in breach of the criminal law, or may call into question your fitness to teach” —While it is not alleged that the Teacher committed any criminal offence per se, the Panel considered that it was nonetheless clear that, by engaging in said chronic and elaborate deception, she deceived many people, including teaching staff and pupils, and did thus call into question her fitness to teach
Part 1.4
You must uphold standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity so that the public have confidence in you as a teacher and teaching as a profession” — The Panel considered that the Teacher’s engagement in said chronic and elaborate deception represents a serious violation of standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity, and thus posed a serious risk to public confidence in her as a teacher, and in teaching as a profession
Part 1.5
You should be professional, honest and act with integrity in your dealings and correspondence with GTC Scotland, other regulatory (or similar) bodies and employers (including prospective and past)” — The Panel considered that the Teacher’s engagement in said chronic and elaborate deception represents a serious violation of professionalism, honesty and integrity, including in her dealings with her employer
Part 1.6
You should maintain an awareness that as a teacher you are a role model to pupils” — The Panel considered that the Teacher’s engagement in said chronic and elaborate deception seriously risked providing a poor role model for pupils
Part 2.3
You should aim to be a positive role model to pupils and motivate and inspire them to realise their full potential” — The Panel considered that the Teacher’s engagement in said chronic and elaborate deception seriously risked providing a poor role model for pupils, and a poor source of inspiration and motivation
In respect of the conduct’s remediability, the Panel had regard to the report of [redacted] dated 30 March 2024, and to the email of [redacted] dated 18 December 2024.
While those experts do not concur [redacted].
Accordingly, the Panel concluded that the Teacher’s conduct while potentially remediable, has not yet remedied.
The public interest was also considered by the Panel and specifically to the factors set out in the Indicative Outcomes Guidance, in particular:
- The protection of members of the public (in particular, children and young people), both in terms of the teaching setting and beyond;
- The maintenance of the public’s confidence in registrants and in the integrity of the teaching profession;
- The maintenance of the public’s confidence in GTC Scotland as a professional regulator;
- The need to declare and uphold proper teaching standards; and
- The deterrent effect that the determination may have upon other GTC Scotland registrants.
The Panel determined that the public would not expect someone who had behaved in the manner the Teacher did to continue to be a registered teacher and remain in the teaching profession. The determined that given the scope, scale and extent of the allegations (and the Teacher’s subsequent admissions to them) the public would expect the Teacher to be considered unfit to teach and to be removed from the register in order to protect members of the public (in particular, children and young people), in to maintain the public’s confidence in registrants and in the integrity of the teaching profession and GTC Scotland as a professional register.
Taking account of all those factors, the Panel took the view that the public interest required a finding that the Teacher was unfit to teach in the circumstances of this case.
For the sake of completeness, the Panel also took account of whether it might owe the Teacher any reasonable adjustments to its procedure under the Equality Act 2010. It was satisfied that its means of proceedings was proportionate to the seriousness of the situation, and compliant with the 2010 Act.
For these reasons, the Panel concluded that the Teacher’s fitness to teach is currently impaired.
The Panel next asked itself whether having found the Teacher currently impaired whether she had fallen significantly short of the standards expected of a registered teacher meaning she is unfit to teach.
The Panel found that while the behaviour was potentially remediable (albeit it was not yet remedied) the public interest considerations set out above meant that the conduct was fundamentally incompatible with the Teacher being allowed to continue to teach, that the Teacher had fallen significantly short of the standards for a registered teacher and was unfit to teach.
Disposal
As the Panel determined that the Teacher is unfit to teach, in accordance with the terms of Article 18(2)(b) of the Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 2011, it could only direct that the Teacher be removed from the Register.
The Panel therefore next considered the period the Teacher should be prohibited from applying to be restored to the Register. The Panel approached this issue having regard to Part 4 of the Fitness to Teach Conduct Cases – Indicative Outcomes Guidance Practice Statement.
The Panel decided to issue a consent order in accordance with Rule 2.7 offering the Teacher the opportunity to consent to removal from the Register. Should such consent be provided, and the Teacher’s name is removed from the Register, her name remains so removed unless and until an application for re-registration is made by her and a Fitness to Teach Panel considers that the Teacher is fit to teach at that time and directs that the application be granted. Rule 2.10.6 outlines that a Panel may direct that the Teacher be prohibited from making such an application until the expiry of such a period, not exceeding 2 years, as it may determine.
In this case, the Panel directed that, due to the nature and the seriousness of the allegations, the Teacher should be prohibited from making an application for re-registration for a period of 2 years from the signing of the consent order. For clarity, this is not a period of removal, meaning that the Teacher will not be automatically reinstated to the Register at the end of this period. It sets out how long the Teacher has to wait until an application for re-registration can be made, which may or may not be granted.
The terms of the consent order are set out in the separate ‘Consent Order’ document. Should the Teacher fail to provide her consent to the order within 28 days from the date of the decision notice, the case is to be referred on for hearing proceedings.
