Teacher struck off after flirtatious messages and birthday dinner with male pupils

A teacher has been struck off the teaching register after it was revealed that she sent flirtatious messages, went for a birthday dinner and gave a male student a sexually suggestive book to read.

According to documents, Dr Esther Garcia Rodriguez was a teacher at Fitzharrys School on or around May 2009 and 2010 when she had inappropriate communications with Pupil B, who was under 16 at the time, via MSN messenger.

The Teaching Regulation Authority revealed how she sent ‘very flirtatious’ messages, including telling Pupil B he was “good looking” and discussing her “sexy” dress with “long low cleavage”.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that six years later, she had also breached several professional boundaries, including displaying sexually motivated behaviour against another male, while working at Oxford Spires Academy in 2016.

On or around 20 January 2020 Ms. Garcia received a Sexual Risk Order (SRO) from Oxford Magistrates Court under Section 122A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Some of the allegations revealed by the Teacher Regulation Agency included Ms. Garcia inappropriately discussing stockings and or how female scientists should dress with Pupil A while employed by Oxford Spires Academy. She also proceeded to have regular contact with him outside of school and drove him to a secluded location when she ought to have known this was inappropriate.

It was also found that on or around 30 September 2016 she invited Pupil A and/or other male pupils to join her for a birthday dinner celebration and even used the phrase ‘love you’ or words to that effect on more than one occasion.

According to the Teacher Regulation Agency, Ms. Garcia also provided Pupil A with a sexually suggestive book to read, called The Reader, which was deemed inappropriate.

The Teacher Regulation Agency ruled that her conduct failed to maintain professional boundaries and failed to act with integrity, and she has since been banned from teaching.

The Teacher Regulation Agency said Dr Garcia Rodriquez is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

Furthermore, given the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, Dr Garcia Rodriquez shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.

Compensation for historic abuse

If you are a survivor of abuse in the past, whether that be sexual abuse or physical assault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the impact it had on your health.

A claim can be made for the physical impact on your health but also, and often more importantly, it can also be made for any damage it may have caused to your mental health.

Compensation can be claimed for personal injury and also any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of your ill health.

Even if the abuse took place decades ago, you may still be entitled to make a claim.

Historic abuse – Should I make a claim?

Before deciding on whether making a claim is the best option for you, it’s important to seek some initial legal advice about the merits. Here at Oakwood Solicitors, we offer a free assessment and would be happy to discuss this with you and no charge.

If you find a Solicitor who is of the view that your claim does have merits, then it is important to also consider the impact on your health that taking a claim forward may have.

Litigation can be a stressful process and may have an adverse impact on your health.

We are not doctors, so we cannot give you medical advice, but are under a duty to advise you that pursuing a claim will be a reminder of the trauma of the abuse whilst the claim is ongoing and this may have a negative impact on your mental health.

Please also note that the only outcome of a successful claim is financial compensation. You may see the litigation as a mechanism for obtaining answers but the majority of cases settle out of Court, which may result in many of your questions remaining unanswered.

You may be advised by your doctors that revisiting the trauma of the abuse you suffered may set you back in your recovery. The decision to proceed must be your own, in conjunction with your medical advisors.

If you agree to proceed forward with a claim, then our team will support you as best as they can and try and make the process as stress-free as possible.

Why should I use Oakwood Solicitors to make my claim?

At Oakwood Solicitors, we have a dedicated team focused solely on claims of this nature. We have experience dealing with victims of sexual abuse and understand that this is a stressful time for all involved.

You will have a dedicated advisor who will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have.

If it is preferable to you, we can assign a female advisor to carry out your claim. Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.

Further reading

Historic abuse claims – Oakwood Solicitors

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