Simon Bell, 46, worked at Ebbsfleet Academy in Swanscombe between September 2018 and August 2021 when he engaged in multiple conversations with a pupil about her mental health.
The conversations included sharing personal medical information about himself and attempting to diagnose her, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct panel heard.
In one conversation Mr Bell was heard telling her she must stop living “in a fantasy world” and think more about the “real world”.
Last month (February 2025) the TRA decided that Mr Bell should be given a prohibition order.
The TRA panel concluded: “The public expects teachers to be role models and trusted individuals to pupils.
“Mr Bell’s comments to a vulnerable pupil such as Pupil A, to the point of diagnosing her, are wholly inappropriate and a further risk to Pupil A’s health
“Pupil A’s parents also took issue with Mr Bell’s comments regarding his diagnosis and his comments about his own diagnosis that he had with their daughter.”
The panel went on to say Mr Bell’s actions undermined the efforts of trained members of staff at the school who were assisting the pupil.
The hearing was also told that Mr Bell had a conviction for possession of marijuana (with intent to distribute) in Nevada, USA, in 2014.
He was given a suspended sentence of imprisonment for the crime.
Mr Bell was then cautioned for the offence of fraud by the Met Police in 2015 for failing to disclose this conviction when applying for a teaching role.
Mr Bell can apply for his prohibition order to be set aside in 2030.
Mr Bell did not attend the hearing and said he feels the TRA’s process to be “fair, impartial
