Kandice Barber, 38, threatened her victim and told him she would ‘take him down’ if he told anyone (Picture: Vagner Vidal/Hyde News & Picture)
A teacher has been banned from the profession for life after having sex with a 15-year-old boy.
Convicted paedophile Kandice Barber, 38, was jailed for six years and two months in 2021 for having sex with the pupil in a field while teaching at Princes Risborough School, Buckinghamshire.
The married mum-of-three from Wendover, Buckinghamshire, professed her ‘innocence’ even though she can’t spell the word in a note which says: ‘Despite the convictions I have always proclaimed my innocentse.’
Barber told her victim she would ‘take him down’ if he told senior members of staff.
A teaching standards panel heard she texted the teen on Snapchat: ‘You cannot make me blush while I am teaching now, poker face lol.’
It was heard how Barber seduced the boy with explicit messages and topless photos which was branded as ‘beyond despicable’ by the trial judge.
She flirted with the teen during a school assembly and sent other texts like ‘do you like boobs or bum?’.
Barber also sent a photo of herself on a bed surrounded by sex toys.
Barber was originally supported by her husband but the pair are now divorced (Picture: PA)
She was convicted for her crimes in 2021 (Picture: PA)
Her behaviour only came to light when one photo ended up on the headteacher’s desk because it was seen by so many people.
Ms Susanne Staab chaired the Teaching Regulation Agency hearing and said: ‘In 2018, Ms Barber was 33 years old and working as a form tutor and cover supervisor at the school.
‘In 2019, police investigated an allegation that she had groomed a 15-year-old male pupil, had sex with him, and sent him sexual communications.
‘The sexual communications included a video of her engaging in sexual activity, and a message containing a sexual innuendo sent while they were both in school, during which Ms Barber referred to teaching him. Ms Barber was charged with three offences and pleaded not guilty.
‘The child had become withdrawn and confined himself to his room as a result.
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‘Her grooming and sexual exploitation of him was followed by threats and manipulation, demonstrating a callous and selfish disregard for her pupil’s wellbeing. The public would rightly be appalled by her behaviour.
‘Ms Barber denied the allegation on the basis that she maintained her innocence of the offences for which she has been convicted…’
Sarah Buxcey, for the education secretary said: ‘In my judgement, the lack of evidence of insight or remorse means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision.
‘The panel decided that the public interest considerations outweighed the interests of Ms Barber. Her conduct was so egregious and harmful as to be fundamentally incompatible with her being allowed to teach in future.’
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She threatened to ‘take him down’ if he told anyone.