Teacher to go before watchdog over pupil grope claims
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A teacher is to go before the professional education watchdog amid claims that she kissed and groped a pupil on a night out.
Ashley McConnell is said to have kissed the secondary school pupil – known only as Pupil A – in March 2018 at Skinandi's nightclub in Thurso.
According to documents on the General Teaching Council website McConnell is also alleged to have danced in a “sexualised and/or flirtatious” manner with the same pupil.
The teacher is also said to have held the pupil's hand and touched his bottom and around the groin area.
An upcoming hearing is also to hear allegations that McConnell swore and threatened two other pupils and made an offensive gesture.
A final allegation claims that she messaged Pupil A when subject to a Fitness to Teach investigation asking them to provide a statement of support.
The message allegedly read: “Hi [Young Person A], how are you? I need to ask a big favour.
“If you have time could you write a statement about me as a teacher? “How brilliant and helpful I was?
“No I’m kidding, but seriously if you could write a little statement it would really help my case with everything that’s going on just now.
“I understand if you don’t want to or don’t have time so don’t worry if you can’t.”
