A former teacher at a Stevenage school has been banned from the classroom for life after having sex with one of her pupils.

Alexandra Sharman was teaching at Marriotts School when she had an ‘intimate and sustained’ relationship with a 15-year-old boy, with sexual activity taking place on ‘more than one occasion’.

The 31-year-old was suspended from the Brittain Way school after allegations came to light, and she was later dismissed for gross misconduct having already handed in her resignation.

The case was investigated by the National College of Teaching and Leadership, which published its findings yesterday.

The report said: “The panel are satisfied on the basis of the evidence that Ms Sharman engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Pupil A.

“The panel is satisfied that the inappropriate relationship involved engaging in sexual activity on more than one occasion, including sexual intercourse.

“We are satisfied there was an intimate and sustained relationship between Ms Sharman and Pupil A over an extended period.

“There is no evidence that Ms Sharman’s actions were not deliberate, and there is no evidence to suggest that she was acting under duress.

“In fact the panel found the teacher’s actions to be calculated and intentional.”

The panel said Ms Sharman’s conduct breached professional standards – including treating pupils with dignity, and having regard to the need to safeguard pupils’ wellbeing.

The allegation came to light when the pupil admitted to a GP that he was depressed because he had been the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of Ms Sharman. The GP passed the information on to the police.

Ms Sharman also told two friends – who were witnesses at the hearing, which the teacher did not attend herself – about a threatening letter from the pupil and about her relationship with him.

It was after one of these friends told the headteacher about it, that Ms Sharman was suspended.

The pupil decided not to press criminal charges so the school began its own investigation, with the NCTL panel now imposing a lifetime teaching ban on Ms Sharman.

The teacher has the right to challenge the findings and the ban in the High Court.

The Comet has asked Marriotts School through local education authority Herts County Council if it would like to comment.