GRAMMAR SCHOOL TEACHER CAPTURED ON CCTV KISSING PUPIL BANNED FROM TEACHING
A teacher at a grammar school has received a lifelong ban from educational activities after being caught on CCTV kissing a student.Lee Fountain, aged 46, attributed his behavior to stress when attending a misconduct panel, which determined he took advantage of the pupil’s vulnerability after she disclosed her feelings for him.
The incident occurred at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate, Kent, which responded quickly by removing him from his role and launching a comprehensive investigation.
During the hearing, Fountain explained his inappropriate actions as stemming from "stress, a temporary lapse in judgment, and becoming too close to a student." In 2022, Fountain also acknowledged receiving a police caution for engaging in sexual activity with a female aged between 13 and 17 as part of the investigation.
The Teaching Regulation Agency imposed an indefinite ban, noting the severity of the misconduct and stating that it was inappropriate to specify a review period.
Fountain must formally apply if he hopes to have the ban lifted in the future.
The incident was fortunately recorded on CCTV, which likely prevented additional harm.
This is an important reminder that such behaviors can sometimes go unnoticed and unaddressed, a situation that remains deeply troubling and unacceptable.
