A SCIENCE teacher who supplied anabolic steroids to a pupil and discussed confidential meetings with another has been banned from teaching indefinitely.
Michael Bedford, 39, was a teacher at Netherwood Academy from 2017 to 2019 when he resigned from his role.
He was the subject of a misconduct hearing by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) who found that he failed to maintain professional boundaries with two pupils - referred to as Pupil A and Pupil B - whilst in employment.
Bedford did not attend the hearing but it was found that he had breached professional standards on a number of occasions, namely giving anabolic steroids to one pupil and taking another on a trip without reporting it to the school.
After spending £150 on oral supplements and delivering them to Pupil B, he text them saying ‘u need stop them b4 ur army medical u wont pass the drugs tests with them in system’.
The report states: “The information extracted from Mr Bedford’s mobile phone included an incoming message from Pupil B on April 19, 2019 at 11.53am stating ‘iv sined up to go in the army will they test me for steroids?’.
“Mr Bedford responded at 11.57am stating ‘it depends on what ones they have a list of banned and allowed steroids’, then further at midday ‘cheers u need stop them b4 ur army medical u wont pass the drugs tests with them in system’.
“Mr Bedford then received an incoming message stating ‘well I haven’t had them for four day and it take four week to get out of mi system’.
“He then responded ‘u wont be tested for months yet u b fine’.
“The panel considered that this was a failure to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and evidenced that Mr Bedford engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Pupil B.
“Giving advice to a pupil as to whether substances they had supplied to them would impact on a medical test required for their future career, is well outside the bounds of a normal teacher-pupil relationship.”
A number of other allegations against him were also found proven, including that he ‘gossiped’ about two former employees with Pupil A, discussed confidential information and meetings with pupils and disclosed his suspension.
Bedford has been banned from teaching indefinitely and will not be allowed to apply to teach again.
David Oakley, the decision maker of the panel, said: “Mr Bedford was employed as a science teacher at the school from September 1, 2017.
“Concerns were raised on April 5, 2019 regarding Mr Bedford’s conduct, and he was placed on management leave on April 9, 2019.
“The police interviewed Mr Bedford on August 2, 2019 and October 30, 2020.
“On May 7, 2019, Mr Bedford resigned from his role with effect from September 1, 2019.
“A referral to the TRA was made by the school on January 20, 2020.
“Mr Michael Bedford is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
“Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Bedford shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
“He has a right of appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from the date he is given notice of this order.”
A spokesperson for Netherwood Academy said: “The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority, and we remain vigilant in keeping children safe.
“We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.”
