A PE teacher who had a sexual relationship with a teenage pupil has been banned from teaching for life. 

Erin Hebblewhite, 32, was jailed for two years in 2021 after she admitted seven charges of using her position to groom and have sex with a female teen. 

Hebblewhite was employed at Connaught School for Girls in Leytonstone when the offending took place. 

On March 1, 2024, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel decided that Hebblewhite should be permanently banned from the classroom. 

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that Hebblewhite took the teen's virginity in a restaurant bathroom on Valentine's Day and was the first person to kiss her. 

Hebblewhite, who was a sports teacher of the year contender, also tried to pressure her into having sex in the toilets of Primark during a shopping trip. 

The offending came to light when the teen's phone was seized by her mother and a family member was able to find explicit messages despite pleas from Hebblewhite for the girl to delete them. 

Four charges related to sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17 and abusing her position of trust, with the fifth charge being sexual activity in the presence of a teenager. 

The other two charges were taking and possession of indecent photographs of a girl under the age of 17. 

Judge Neil Sanders, passing sentence, imposed a ten-year restraining order and sexual harm prevention order banning her from contacting the victim or working with children in any capacity. 

He also jailed Hebblewhite for two years with all charges to run concurrently. 

Hebblewhite broke down in tears during the sentencing. 

In March, TRA decision maker Marc Cavey said: "The panel finds that the conduct of Ms Hebblewhite fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. 

“The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they involve direct sexual activity with a child which included the making of indecent images and ultimately led to a sentence of imprisonment." 

He said Hebblewhite had shown no remorse for her actions and concluded that she should be banned from teaching indefinitely.