Johnstone primary school teacher struck off for secret sexual relationship with teen girl

A Johnstone primary school teacher has been banned from the profession after having a secret sexual relationship with a teenage girl for two years.

Joanne Munro was working at St David’s Primary when she started a “close, personal, intimate friendship” with a vulnerable 16-year-old she met at a Girl Guides camp in August 2011.

On various occasions between February and August 2012, she shared confidential information about a pupil, sent pictures of pupils and shared a pupil’s report card with the teenager.

Between April 1 and April 6, 2012, Munro travelled to a Girl Guide event with the then 16-year-old, where they shared a bed.

A month later, the teacher invited the teenager to her home and gave her alcohol. They then slept in Munro’s bed.

The Girl Guide leader kissed the secondary school pupil the night before her Higher Art exam.

During a Girl Guide camp in June 2012, the pair hugged, kissed and slept on a bed in the First Aid room numerous times.

Over the next two years, Munro formed a romantic and sexual relationship with the girl during which they exchanged explicit pictures, and the teacher paid for trips away.

The primary school teacher also organised for the teenager to carry out work experience at St David’s Primary School.

The pair continued to have intimate encounters before, during and after school.

In March 2017, Munro pressurised the vulnerable teen “into engaging in sexual acts with which she was not comfortable”.

In the removal with consent order issued by the General Teaching Council, it states that Munro’s actions were “sexually motivated.”

Her name has been removed from the GTCS register and she will be unable to apply for registration over the next two years.