A shamed geography teacher banned from the profession for sending sexually explicit texts to a child claims he “deeply regrets” his behaviour.

Disgraced Lee Startup, who worked at Ursuline College in Westgate, has told KentOnline he is certain he will “never commit any kind of offence again”.

But during a recent misconduct hearing, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) deemed the 50-year-old still poses “some risk of repeating this behaviour”.

Startup sent explicit messages to a girl aged under 16 in July 2020, including asking her what underwear she was wearing, along with crude questions about sex.

The following month he was arrested by police and in September 2021 admitted engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He had been employed as a curriculum leader for geography at Ursuline College in April 2016 and still worked there at the time of the offences.

But the offences did not relate to a pupil at the Catholic academy.

Startup was handed a 12-month sentence suspended for two years, made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

A report by the TRA, which met on May 17 to determine Startup’s future, states he did not formally respond to the misconduct allegation and was not present at the hearing.

But when approached for comment by KentOnline, the single dad from Rochester claimed to have “addressed his offending behaviour”.

“I deeply regret my conduct in this regard and the impact it has had on the victim, her family, my family and the wider community I served,” he said.

“I offer no mitigation and fully accept the consequences of my actions.

“I am on probation and subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

“Having said that, I have decided to start a new life from scratch and I am determined to be the best person I can be.

“I was hoping that all of this was behind me and that I could move on.”

The TRA noted there was evidence from Startup that the effect of alcohol misuse may have impacted his behaviour, but there was “limited information” about this.

The panel also heard how there was no evidence to demonstrate he had “proactively taken meaningful steps to minimise the risk of repetition of his behaviour”.

“I offer no mitigation and fully accept the consequences of my actions...”

TRA decision maker David Oatley said: “In my judgement, the lack of insight means there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future well-being of pupils.

“I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision.

“I have gone on to consider the extent to which a prohibition order would maintain public confidence in the profession.”

The panel also said there was a strong public interest consideration regarding the protection of pupils, given the conviction for engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Members also considered public confidence in the profession could be “seriously weakened” if conduct such as that admitted by Startup was not treated with the “utmost seriousness”.

Although the panel was not provided with any testimonial evidence speaking of his character, they inferred from evidence that he was “a good teacher”. However, there was “no evidence that he was an exceptional teacher or has made a significant contribution to the teaching profession”.

In his decision, Mr Oatley added: “In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession.

“A published decision, in light of the circumstances in this case, that is not backed up by remorse or insight, does not in my view satisfy the public interest requirement concerning public confidence in the profession.

“For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest in order to achieve the intended aims of a prohibition order.”

Startup was banned from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

“Working hard and saving money are my main priorities at the moment...”

Startup, who also previously worked at St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School in Chatham, told KentOnline he faces an “uncertain” future.

“Working hard and saving money are my main priorities at the moment,” he added.

“I have addressed my offending behaviour and I am certain that I will never commit any kind of offence again.

“Not because of the impact on myself, but because I have seen the devastating impact it has on others.

“The conviction does not relate to any child I have ever taught.”

Mike Walters, executive director of education at the Kent Catholic Schools Partnership, a group of 25 schools which includes Ursuline College, says it was made aware in August 2020 of a “serious allegation of professional misconduct” involving Startup.

“Steps were immediately taken to ensure that Mr Startup was suspended from work and he is no longer in the employment of the Trust or the school,” Mr Walters said.

“The allegation did not relate to any pupil or staff member in the school, the Trust or the locality.”