A TEACHER has been banned from the classroom after attempting to flirt with sixth form pupils he was in charge of.

Paul Kaufman, who worked at Thurstable School, in Tiptree, admitted touching a pupil's hair, commenting on her personal appearance and told her he had missed her while she was off.

He had previously worked at Furtherwick Park School, on Canvey, until the school closed, and Thorpe Bay School.

Mr Kaufman also discussed his personal relationships on at least one occasion with a student, made references of an openly sexual and deeply insulting nature, asked a student to show him her stomach and kicked a student in the lower back or bottom.

A third victim also reported Kaufman asked her to buy him tobacco and touched her ankle bracelet.

A Teaching Regulation Agency panel found his behaviour was unacceptable and brought the profession into disrepute.

The panel prohibited him from teaching indefinitely and he will never be allowed to apply for restoration of his eligibility.

Mr Kaufman was employed at Thurstable between January 2010 and April 2017, when he resigned - prior to the end of the disciplinary process.

During his time at the school he performed a number of senior roles, including, most recently, as director of studies SEND.

He was previously assistant head at another school.

As soon as the allegations were reported to the school, Mr Kaufman was suspended.

Had he not subsequently resigned, he would have been dismissed on the grounds of gross misconduct,.

Miles Bacon, Thurstable headteacher, said: "The wellbeing of our students is always our highest priority.

"Mr Kaufman resigned from Thurstable School in April 2017.

"We are aware of the Teaching Regulation Agency panel outcome, and the Department for Education’s judgement which prohibits Mr Kaufman from teaching indefinitely."

He added: "As is described in the report, Mr Kaufman’s misconduct consisted of flirtatious and therefore grossly inappropriate behaviour with sixth form students.

"As soon as the behaviour was reported to the school, safeguards were put in place ensuring that the behaviour stopped immediately, and a full investigation was conducted with the support and guidance of Essex County Council.

"Mr Kaufman resigned at the conclusion of the investigation."

An NSPCC spokesman said: “It’s deeply disturbing that Kaufman acted inappropriately so frequently in school, especially given his previous additional responsibilities around child protection.

“School should be a place where young people feel safe and able to flourish but it was clear from the hearing that Kaufman inhibited this by making students feel uncomfortable and upset.

“Teachers are trusted to play a key role in pupils’ wellbeing.

"Kaufman’s behaviour amounts to an abuse of this trust and it is right that he has faced the consequences.”