A religious studies teacher at a Canterbury school dated and kissed a female pupil he had taught at a previous school.

The Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys hired father-of-one George Moore, 30, in September 2012 knowing he was facing a professional conduct hearing.

It heard he exchanged emails with the 18-year-old pupil, kissed her during a cinema date and told her father he was in love with her.

The girl had already left the school in Reading, where the then-married Mr Moore worked when they went out together.

The Education Department's National College for Training and Leadership's professional conduct panel concluded Mr Moore was guilty of "unacceptable professional conduct" in that he had "failed to observe proper boundaries" – but stopped short of banning him from teaching.

"Schools are places of redemption and the teaching council decided that he should not lose his job..." - Ken Moffat

Ken Moffat - deputy head at Langton, off Nackington Road - spoke on Mr Moore's behalf at the hearing, insisting he is a brilliant teacher who would be "devastated" to lose his job.

Mr Moffat said: "He kissed this pupil after she had left the school. It's not advisable and it's arguably a mistake. Schools are places of redemption and the teaching council decided that he should not lose his job.

"He was poorly represented by his teaching union which advised him to plead guilty to this. He gave us full disclosure when he came here and is a very good teacher.

"We operate strict safeguarding procedures in all our appointments and I am absolutely convinced of the suitability of Mr Moore to teach at secondary level on all counts."

Mr Moore attended the Langton himself and then studied theology at Exeter University. His mother Loraine worked at the Langton, where she taught subjects such as drama and art.

The hearing in Coventry found that between January and October 2012, Mr Moore formed "an inappropriate relationship" with the girl – known as Pupil A – and exchanged emails with her, including more than 20 on May 25.

It also found he had met up with her several times and took her on a date in September 2012, when he kissed her outside a cinema. The pupil left the school in June 2012 after her A-level exams.

"The relationship took place over a short period of time, was not of a sexual nature, and happened at a time when the pupil concerned had left the school..." - conduct panel report

The conduct panel's report said: "Shortly after Pupil A's exams finished, the relationship between Pupil A and Mr Moore became formal; Mr Moore expressed to Pupil A's father that he loved Pupil A, and Pupil A told her parents that she was unwilling to break her contact with Mr Moore."

It goes on to say colleagues at his previous school told Mr Moore not to attend an end-of-year meal with pupils unless it was with his wife and child – but that he ignored their advice.

The panel's report adds: "The panel were satisfied that Mr Moore's conduct did not display the existence of a deep-seated attitude that would lead to harmful behaviour.

"Additionally they noted that the relationship took place over a short period of time, was not of a sexual nature, and happened at a time when the pupil concerned had left the school.

"The panel were clear that Mr Moore had a previously good history and that this incident was out of character."

Stories you might have missed

Stabbed man arrested over cab gun claims

Tributes to teenage girl killed in crash

Three accidents close section of A249

Bully jailed after tugging out girlfriend's hair