Teacher Megan Lanning Banned for Life After Sending Inappropriate Images to Student

A drama and music teacher in Kent, Megan Lanning, has been banned from teaching for life after she sent inappropriate pictures to a student and admitted having feelings for them.

The 36-year-old worked at Ripplevale School in Rochester, an independent school for students with learning difficulties. The incident came to light in February 2024, when Lanning reported herself to the school’s safeguarding officers. She admitted having inappropriate communication with a student, including sending two personal images.

Lanning also confessed that she and the student had spent long hours talking over the phone and through social media platforms like Instagram. According to her statement, she felt emotionally connected to the student and wanted them to think highly of her.

“I remember at the time I just wanted to give [them] all of me,” she said. “I wanted [them] to think I was amazing.”

A misconduct panel led by Alan Wells said that Lanning had crossed the professional boundary expected from teachers. The panel found that her actions were emotionally driven and highly inappropriate for someone in a position of authority.

Wells said: “It was clear Miss Lanning was trying to build a personal connection that went beyond her role as a teacher. She acted on feelings toward a student in a way that was unacceptable.”

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which deals with such cases in England, ruled that the images were inappropriate and confirmed the ban. Lanning admitted her behavior and said she deeply regretted it. She described feeling sick when she thinks about her actions and said the consequences have been extremely difficult to live with.

The misconduct hearing took place in Coventry, West Midlands. Lanning admitted to unacceptable professional conduct, and told the panel she was “disgusted” with herself and feared public backlash.

“It’s not something I would ever think of doing again,” she said.

After reviewing the case, Marc Cavey, a civil servant acting on behalf of the Education Secretary, officially approved the lifetime ban. He said the findings would negatively affect the public image of the teaching profession.

“Miss Lanning shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach,” he stated.

Ripplevale School is a private institution that offers support to children with learning difficulties. Its annual tuition can be as high as £45,000.