Prestwich teacher convicted of child sex offences banned
An ex high school drama teacher has been banned from her former profession after she groomed one of her pupils into an inappropriate relationship.
Kim Connor, the former head of performing arts at St Monica’s RC High School in Prestwich, has been barred from teaching indefinitely after abusing an underage student over a number of years.
The mother-of-two first began teaching the victim at a performing arts school when she was aged just nine and was suspended from her job at St Monica’s after the allegations came to light.
After a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Connor was found guilty of three counts of engagement in sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, and three counts of inciting a child to commit sex acts by a person in a position of trust.
In July 2020, the defendant, who worked at St Monica’s between 1996 and 2018, was sentenced to nine months in prison and put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Earlier this month, an employment tribunal found Ms Connor had shown little insight and remorse for her actions and determined that pupils would be at risk should she remain allowed to teach.
READ MORE: Drama teacher jailed for string of child sex offences against schoolgirl
A report published following the tribunal stated: “Ms Kim Connor is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
“Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Ms Kim Connor shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.”
During the trial, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Ms Connor had “taken the best years of my life”.
She added her that “love for life has vanished” and her “dreams and aspirations of theatre have been tarnished”.
“What Kim Connor did affected me for years,” she said.
“She told me to keep the relationship a secret, not through excitement, but because it was wrong.”
The court heard that as well as teaching the victim at the college, Ms Conner gave her private tuition between the ages of 10 and 14.
After the girl turned 16, their relationship was said to have become sexual and came to an end when the victim was aged around 20.
Following the ban, Connor has 28 days to appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court.
