A former maths teacher serving a prison sentence for sexual offences against two teenage pupils is now facing a lifetime prohibition from the profession. Rebecca Joynes, 31, was convicted earlier this year and could be permanently barred from teaching following a damning professional conduct hearing.
Crimes and Conviction
Rebecca Joynes was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison in July after being found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child. The offences involved two boys, both aged 15 at the time the abuse began, whom she met through her teaching role at a school in Greater Manchester.
The court heard how she groomed one victim, known as Pupil A, by taking him to the Trafford Centre and buying him a £345 Gucci belt from Selfridges. She later became pregnant by a second teenage student, referred to as Pupil B, initiating a sexual relationship with him when he was also 15. The identities of the boys and the school are protected by law.
Professional Conduct Hearing
A remote professional conduct panel convened by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) has now concluded that Joynes is guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct'. The disgraced teacher, who remains incarcerated, declined to attend the hearing and was not represented.
Shirley Duckworth, presenting the case for the TRA, told the panel that Joynes's convictions were 'of the utmost severity'. She detailed an 'abuse of trust' against Pupil A and highlighted that the crimes against Pupil B involved 'grooming' and were committed while Joynes was on bail for the offences against the first boy.
Ms Duckworth stated that the existence of a child with Pupil B was a 'significant aggravating feature'. She quoted Pupil B as saying: "I will forever be Rebecca's victim and will be forever be linked to her through our child." The purchase of the designer belt was described as a 'manipulative form of flattery'.
Lasting Impact and Recommended Ban
The panel heard that Joynes had inflicted 'enormous damage' on her victims and that her actions had 'tarnished the profession's reputation'. She was dismissed for gross misconduct in July 2022 after her initial court appearance.
Ms Duckworth argued it was 'inconceivable' Joynes was unaware her actions were wrong, explicitly identifying her as a paedophile. She contended that the 'appropriate and measured' action was for the panel to recommend a permanent prohibition order to the Education Secretary.
Panel chairman Phil Thompson confirmed the panel had found Joynes's conduct constituted unacceptable behaviour. The panel retired to consider making that formal recommendation, with a decision from the Education Secretary expected to be made public several days after any submission.
