Teacher warned for spending time alone at home with female pupil

A French teacher at a Fife school has been given a warning after admitting spending time alone with a female pupil at his home.

Dan Barlow faced a General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) tribunal over his behaviour while employed at the independent, feepaying educational establishment.

Barlow, who no longer works at the school after leaving there in 2019, admitted several of the claims made against him, which included taking the unnamed schoolgirl, referred to as Pupil A, to his home after a camping trip in May 2018.

Barlow also admitted spending time alone to watch films in the school’s common room with the girl, as well as taking her on walks with his dog.

The panel also examined a trip Barlow made to Falkland Palace alone with the pupil, which it said was “wholly inappropriate”.

He told the GTCS that his relationship with Pupil A had been pastoral and his care was provided with the full knowledge and “encouragement” of the school.

The report said: “He stated that Pupil A had only been able to continue boarding due to the support put in place by the school and carried out by himself as ‘spouse in the house’ and his wife.

“He stated that a teacher in a school boarding house was more akin to being in a family home with a degree of informality not present in a day or non-boarding school.

“He submitted that teachers were ‘in loco parentis’ whilst caring for and supervising boarding pupils, meaning that teachers would act in place of parents.”

It also added that it was a “common occurrence” for staff to undertake weekend activities with pupils, “seeking to mirror family life”.

The panel said it found Barlow to be both “credible and reliable”, and had provided evidence with confidence and accuracy.

It noted he was “sincere and honest”, concluding that a reprimand was the most suitable sanction, noting Barlow’s apology and commitment not to repeat the behaviour.

A teacher in a school boarding house was more akin to being in a family home