A teacher, Steven Ballantyne, who was discovered engaging in a sexual act in a public ladies’ toilet while wearing only a bra, has been permanently banned from the classroom.
The incident took place at a BP garage in Alnwick, Northumberland, in January 2021, where Ballantyne was observed by a shocked mother and her five-year-old daughter. Another woman later came across the scene, leading to Ballantyne’s conviction for outraging public decency at Newcastle Crown Court. Subsequently, he was dismissed from his position by Northumberland County Council.
Despite being sentenced to five months in prison (suspended for two years) and 200 hours of unpaid work, the performing arts teacher has now been indefinitely barred from teaching by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). The TRA disciplinary panel determined that Ballantyne’s conviction for a “relevant offence” necessitated the ban to uphold public confidence in the teaching profession.
Decision maker Sarah Buxcey, for the Education Secretary, said: “Although this matter relates to conduct outside of the education setting, the panel was of the view that Mr Ballantyne’s actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and working in an education setting.
“The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offence could have had an impact on the safety and/or security of pupils and/or members of the public.
“The panel also took account of the way the teaching profession is viewed by others.
“The panel considered that Mr Ballantyne’s behaviour in committing the offence could undoubtedly affect public confidence in the teaching profession, particularly given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.”
At his sentencing, he was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register, given a sexual harm prevention order and an order banning him from going to the BP garage or any female public toilet.
On February 3 that year, an internal disciplinary investigation was undertaken. An interview, a meeting and a disciplinary hearing followed before his contract was terminated.
The panel said Ballantyne, who did not attend the hearing and was not represented, had shown little “regret or remorse.”
The panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect.
He cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation of children’s home in England and he is not entitled to to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
