A former teacher at a Biggleswade school has been banned from teaching after an investigation found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct with students, including sending more than 500 emails to a pupil and telling her that she had a ‘beautiful body’ and ‘nice pins’.

Richard Merrett resigned from his post at Stratton Upper School in April of last year and pleaded guilty to a raft of inappropriate behaviour with students while he was serving as head of Year 13 and sixth form co-ordinator.

A professional conduct panel revealed on Monday that Mr Merrett was guilty of sending messages on social media to a girl which included sexual references, as well as telling the same student that a former employee at the school was a ‘f*****g waste of space’.

The 29-year-old was found guilty of discussing underage drinking with one girl and sending inappropriate emails with references to alcohol to another girl. He was also found guilty of sending inappropriate emails to a fourth female student regarding her weekend plans.

Rob Watson, who is executive headteacher of Stratton Education Trust, said: “It is very rare that someone in our profession abuses their position of trust in the way this case highlights.

“Despite this, it is vital that schools have robust mechanisms to investigate and act upon allegations should they arise.

“We are grateful to those members of our community who had the bravery and sense of duty to raise their concerns with us.

“I am also pleased to note that the Trust’s safeguarding procedures proved swift and decisive, preventing an even more serious situation developing.”