A teacher at a prestigious boarding school with a tuition of over £30,000 per year has been deregistered for expressing his affection towards a student and engaging in inappropriate interactions outside of school hours.
Benjamin Phelps, aged 31, had his teaching license revoked indefinitely by a disciplinary panel for engaging in a romantic relationship with a student at St Bede’s School in East Sussex, where he served as a deputy boarding housemaster, tutor, and performing arts technician for students aged 13 to 18.
The teacher sent inappropriate text messages to the student, met with them outside of regular lessons, hugged and kissed them on the cheek, and even suggested skipping school to have meals together in his car. His employment was terminated in April 2024 following an investigation, and the Teaching Regulation Agency’s professional conduct panel officially deregistered him on January 16 of the same year.
Messages sent by Phelps via WhatsApp revealed expressions of affection towards the student, including statements such as “I love you and wish you sweet dreams” and descriptions of physical reactions to their interactions. The panel noted that their relationship became increasingly personal and romanticized, with exchanges of affectionate messages and physical gestures.
Despite the student disclosing a sensitive matter to him, Phelps failed to follow safeguarding procedures, and their communication escalated to using WhatsApp, a non-approved method by the school. The relationship reached a critical point when the student attempted to kiss Phelps, prompting him to try to revert to a more professional dynamic.
Phelps admitted to developing romantic feelings and breaching professional boundaries, leading to his deregistration. While allegations of grooming were not substantiated, he can seek to have the prohibition order lifted in January 2030, with the option to appeal at the High Court.
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