Teacher who had sex with pupil is struck off
A West Lothian teacher who had sex with an S6 pupil in his home has been struck off the teaching register.
Ross Spittal admitted having sex with the pupil on at least two occasions in 2019 while working as a maths teacher at Inveralmond High School in West Lothian.
The 32-year-old was living with his partner at the time, but was caught out when she found over 800 emails between the pair on a computer.
Spittal, from Bishopton, Renfrewshire, was suspended from his job after his inappropriate relationship with the 18-year-old pupil was outed.
He has since been fighting to remain on the teaching register after saying he believes he is still fit to teach.
It was revealed last week the Mother of Pupil A gave a written testimonial to The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) panel, defending the former teacher.
She said: “He has shown credibility in his role and professionalism at all times.
“His encouragement allowed pupils to believe in themselves.”
She also advised the panel that: “She has no concerns about Mr Spittal’s teacher pupil relationship with Person A and sees them in a stable relationship and has been integrated into their family life.”
Following a four-day hearing, the teaching regulator decided Spittal will be struck from the register.
Panel chair Alison Reid said: “In relation to stage 2 fitness to teach, the panel’s findings are that the teacher has fallen significantly short of the standards that are expected of a registered teacher and is therefore unfit to teach.
“Section 18.2b of the public services reform order means that the panel has to direct that the teacher be removed from the register.”
Prior to the decision, presenting officer Sarah Donnachie argued: “Mr Spitall did not act honestly at Inveralmond. He knew what he was doing was wrong and he tried to cover up his actions.
“Mr Spittal has shown no efficient insight into his actions.
“He has not fully engaged with his feelings and not been honest with himself in the events that led to the kiss.”
In regards to the sequences of emails made between Spittal and Pupil A, Donnachie went on to argue that “it was Mr Spittal not Pupil A that moved towards informality.”
She continued: “Mr Spittal knew what he was doing was wrong. He only disclosed this to Inveralmond when his ex-partner discovered the relationship.
“He had been reminded of professional respect on two occasions prior to the kiss.”
Legal council for Spitall, Claire Rafferty, argued: “Mr Spittal took steps to realise why he acted and what he can do to prevent this from happening again.
“He has been under total remediation for two and half years, showing a passion and commitment to teaching.
“I’m not sure what else a person could do to remediate.
“I am confident he would make the right decision when faced with difficult circumstances.
“He has put measures in place to ensure if similar circumstances would arise he would not repeat his actions.
“His personality traits make it unlikely there will be a repetition of conduct.”
Spittal was outed to the school by his then-girlfriend who found emails, including nude images, between the pair on their shared computer.
On Monday, February 7, Spittal confirmed he was still in a relationship with the former pupil but admitted that his behaviour in 2019 was “totally inappropriate”.
He said he was “ashamed” of his actions but believes he still has a lot to offer to teaching.
Spittal, now a delivery courier, said: “I think about it everyday while I’m sitting in my van, about where I could be if I hadn’t made stupid mistakes.
“I made decisions and choices in a five- to six-week period I am ashamed and embarrassed of.
“I use a traffic light system. Stop, thought and action.
“I stop and process what is going on around me, I then think and assess my options before proceeding with my choice.
“My professionalism was called into place, it won’t happen again, I admit all of the allegations.”
Elizabeth Gibb, a chartered occupational psychologist who has been working with Spittal since June 2020, gave evidence in the teacher’s favour at the hearing.
She said: “I think he took responsibility for his actions before I met him.
“He scored lower than most adults on assertiveness.
“He is fundamentally agreeable and is fundamentally trustworthy and unlikely to use charm.
“He has now given great consideration to how he acted and he sought help.
“He is highly unlikely to bend the rules in the future.”
The GTCS concluded their investigation by issuing Spittal with a removal order.