A TAUNTON School teacher who exchanged around 2,000 messages with a pupil – some of which were deemed “unprofessional and/or inappropriate” – has been banned from teaching for at least two years.

In evidence before a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel, Mark Raven – a science teacher and boarding house tutor at the prep school – admitted exchanging messages with two pupils, known as Pupil A and Pupil B, through 2023 and 2024.

The panel heard how 59-year-old Raven started working at the school in 2007, becoming the boarding house tutor in November 2021.

In January 2024, the school received concerns from parents referring to “weird” behaviour towards Pupil A and messages were found on the school Teams system.

Following an investigation, in February last year, Raven ceased working at Taunton Prep School.

After the TRA decision was announced, a spokesperson said: “We regret that a former member of our staff should have behaved in such an unacceptable manner, which in no way reflects our ethos and high professional standards.

“The school acted immediately as soon as these incidents were drawn to its attention, and referred the matter to the Teaching Regulation Agency.

“The continued safety, well-being and happiness of our pupils remains our absolute priority.”

Last month, Raven admitted a number of allegations presented that took place between 2023 and 2024, including:

• In relation to Pupil A, he did not maintain professional boundaries, in that he exchanged an excessive number of messages on Microsoft Teams with Pupil A which were unprofessional and/or inappropriate in nature
• In relation to Pupil A, he did not maintain professional boundaries, in that he sent Microsoft Teams messages to Pupil A outside of School hours
• In relation to Pupil A, he did not maintain professional boundaries, in that he made a gift Pupil A
• In relation to Pupil A, he did not maintain professional boundaries, by accepting gifts from Pupil A
• In relation to Pupil A, he did not maintain professional boundaries, by asking “what would you like for your birthday?” to Pupil A and/or used words to that effect
• He exchanged messages of an unprofessional and/or inappropriate nature with Pupil B
• In respect of his contact with Pupil A and/or Pupil B, Raven did not refer himself to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• His conduct breached professional boundaries

“The panel found that Mr Raven did breach professional boundaries,” the TRA report said.

“In particular, the panel found that Mr Raven had sent an excessive number of messages to Pupil A, and also sent some messages to Pupil B, which did not relate to the students’ school work, lesson content or professional matters.

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“The panel also found that some of these messages were sent outside of school hours.

“The panel found that while the content of these messages was not sexual, it was still over-familiar and friendly, which was inappropriate and unprofessional in the context of a teacher-pupil relationship.

“The panel also found that Mr Raven exhibited favouritism towards Pupil A by giving them gifts and making reference to purchasing a gift for their birthday.

“The panel also found that Mr Raven’s conduct was in breach of multiple provisions of the school’s Code of
Conduct.”

The panel ultimately found Raven’s conduct had been unacceptable and may bring the profession into disrepute, and noted a “lack of remorse and insight” from the teacher.

It recommended he be banned from teaching until at least August 2027, when he may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside.

“At present, the panel found that Mr Raven’s behaviour was incompatible with being a teacher,” the report added.

“However, the panel noted that Mr Raven admitted the allegations, and that the messages that Mr Raven exchanged with Pupil A and Pupil B were not overtly sexual or predatory in nature.

“As a result, the panel found that Mr Raven should have an opportunity to learn from his actions, and to return to teaching in the future, should he wish to do so.”

Raven has the right to appeal the decision to the High Court within 28 days.