Alexandra Slay, a former Head of Year, has been struck off the teaching register after admitting to fabricating elaborate stories about her time in the Australian Army and experiences in war zones.

Deceptive Behavior Uncovered

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) investigation revealed a pattern of deceitful behavior by Slay, 34, while at Epsom and Ewell High School. She repeatedly lied to pupils about her supposed experiences in dangerous missions.

Elaborate Fabrications

Slay created detailed scenarios, including texting students while pretending to be a fellow soldier reporting her serious injuries. She also sent 'worst case scenario' letters detailing her supposed bravery and final wishes. One student received over 2,500 emails and messages, many from a fictional Lieutenant detailing Slay’s invented exploits.

Inappropriate Relationships with Students

Miss Slay’s actions were a sustained effort to cultivate inappropriate relationships with students, presenting herself as a mentor and sharing what she described as 'personal diary entries'.

Emotional Manipulation

The teacher attempted to emotionally manipulate a student who tried to establish boundaries, claiming she needed the student to understand that teachers are not 'punching bags'. She detailed accounts of deployments, injuries – including being shot in the abdomen – and near-death experiences, complete with fabricated medical updates.

Investigation and Outcome

The ruse was uncovered in August 2023 when texts and emails were discovered on a student’s phone, leading to Slay’s resignation three months later. The TRA report detailed Slay’s admission that her actions were 'fabricated' and a 'lie', stating she created the stories to 'feel that I belong'.

Tribunal Findings

The tribunal, chaired by Shabana Robertson, found Miss Slay guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, emphasizing the deliberate nature of her actions. She has been indefinitely banned from the profession, with the option to apply for the order to be lifted after two years. The case highlights the importance of safeguarding students and maintaining professional boundaries.

The sheer volume of communication – 2,547 emails with one student, 1,175 with another, and 645 with a third – underscores the intensity of the inappropriate relationships fostered.