Louis Stockton, a former teacher at Cheltenham Ladies' College in Gloucestershire, has been banned from teaching indefinitely after breaching professional boundaries with a former pupil. Stockton worked at the prestigious girls' school from September 2022 until October 2023.
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) intervened following allegations of unacceptable conduct and actions damaging to the teaching profession. Between July and October 2023, Stockton exchanged messages with a former pupil, known as Pupil A, via social media platforms Instagram and Snapchat. These interactions began shortly after the pupil left school and started her first term at university.
Stockton admitted to maintaining contact with Pupil A beyond the end of her school term. The school’s policy explicitly prohibits staff from establishing social contact with pupils for the purpose of friendship or strengthening relationships, extending to a period immediately after pupils leave. While the policy lacked a precise definition of this timeframe, the TRA panel determined that the months following the departure count as “immediately following.”
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In August 2023, Stockton met Pupil A in Cheltenham, where they visited a pub together and shared drinks. He also allowed her to stay overnight at his flat when she missed her last train home, stating she fell asleep on the sofa for convenience. Contrary to this, the most serious allegation involved Stockton visiting the pupil in London shortly after she began university. There, he stayed overnight in her student accommodation, sharing a bed under the claim that there was no alternative sleeping arrangement available. Stockton described the situation as platonic and driven by convenience due to travel distance.
Concern was raised when another pupil informed the school about Stockton’s conduct. Upon learning this in September 2023, Stockton admitted to some details of his interactions but was found to have provided false and misleading information by denying a meeting with the pupil during a safeguarding discussion.
Stockton later expressed regret, describing his actions as a naïve error in judgment made in a complex situation. He acknowledged his failure to maintain professional boundaries but highlighted his dedication to teaching and a commitment to learning from the incident.
Despite his remorse, the TRA panel highlighted the seriousness of his misconduct, especially his dishonesty and attempt to conceal the relationship. While the panel initially did not recommend prohibition, the Secretary of State intervened, imposing an indefinite prohibition on Stockton teaching in any educational or youth-related setting in England. He may apply to have this order reviewed after January 29, 2028.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College has not provided a public comment on the matter.