Teacher sacked over topless teen photoshoot

An art teacher in Lincoln was sacked for letting teenage girls do a topless photoshoot in the classroom cupboard.

Karen Hutchinson, 46, who was the head of art at the Priory City of Lincoln Academy, lent her camera to an 18-year-old to take shots of her 17-year-old classmate for a project on the female form.

The store room was then locked to make sure they were not disturbed before Hutchinson downloaded the photos and emailed them to one of the girls from her own account.

The pictures showing the girl’s torso only were included in the student’s portfolio and seen by external examiners.

Hutchinson was immediately suspended and later sacked from her position.

She aid she thought the girl was 18, but it is believed she admitted failing to maintain professional boundaries.

A professional conduct panel was convened to consider to case on December 10 and 11.

The proceedings were held in Coventry. The hearing reportedly likened it to sending child pornography and said she displayed a serious lapse of judgement, but ruled that no further action would be taken.

The full outcomes of teacher misconduct hearings are usually published online around two weeks after the hearing.

Priory City of Lincoln Academy Headteacher Richard Trow said: “The academy’s senior team was alerted to the issue and within three working days had completed its initial inquiries, contacted all the relevant authorities and suspended Ms Hutchinson, who was subsequently dismissed after a disciplinary investigation.

“The images and artwork were never on display in the academy. They were of the torso only and were used by the student as additional reference material for their final exam piece, an abstract painting.

“The exam took place in the same week as our initial inquiry.

“The Teaching Regulation Agency was fully supportive of the swift, decisive and appropriate actions taken by the academy.”