Daniyal Burney, a 27-year-old former RE teacher from Hertfordshire, has been banned from teaching after a misconduct panel determined he sent sexually suggestive messages to three vulnerable teenage students. Despite Burney's claims of a friend-like relationship, the panel deemed his communication persistent and suggestive of intimacy, particularly given the teacher-pupil dynamic. His conduct negatively impacted his pupils, leading to special arrangements for their examinations. Burney's disregard for instructions not to contact students following his suspension further illustrated the calculated nature of his actions.
The panel concluded that messages sent by Burney were not inherently sexual in nature but were persistent and suggested a high level of intimacy.
Given the teacher-pupil dynamic, the informality of messaging and the overfamiliarity with pupils who were known to be vulnerable, it could draw the inference that Mr Burney's behaviour was done in the pursuit of a future sexual relationship.
Even after he was suspended by the school, Burney messaged one of the pupils despite being told not to contact anybody at the school, including pupils.
The panel found Mr Burney's actions to be calculated and motivated, and that he did not appear to acknowledge the impact of his conduct upon the pupils who were all vulnerable teenagers.
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