But why let the facts stand in the way of a bit of tabloid sensationalism?!

Ugh, disgusting

The News of The World is back to form isn't it. How about a little caning in that direction, not as a sexual discipline kick you understand, just for good old discipline's sake.

There are so many issues here, like the age of consent, judging consensual relationships and too many others to go into just now. I am glad you spelt out your professional stance with this concern you have. It is clear cut and decent, indeed, as most people are.

actually I agree with the pupil quoted. The pupil is not in a position to make a reasonable decision regarding sleeping with a teacher, or any adult actually.
In Switzerland it is an offence for anyone to have sex with someone else if either person is younger than 18 and there is more than a 3 year age gap, which I think is pretty sensible. Not sure what the minimum age is though!

"If you're the sort of person who would want to sleep with someone only seventeen years old"

I think that's a tad condescending to 17 year olds to be honest. What's 'only' about 17?

So far as I was aware 17 year olds are adults.

This is interesting. Who is going to "give" them this right? You wrote, "I'm not interested in having the right to bed any of my pupils", but you should be interested in the RIGHT (if not in the pupils, at least sexually). Surely the point is, consenting adults already HAVE the right. They don't need to beg for it. Perhaps the argument is "consenting adults can do what they want... except in certain circumstances". Then, who is to decide which circumstances, and what gives them the right to decide that?

in some US states there's a sort of age limit, that if you're say 16 you can only have sex with someone near you're age, upto 21 or something...

As someone who lost her virginity aged 15, I can honestly say that a couple of my teachers were hotter that the surface of the sun and I would have leapt at the chance!
It really should depend on the circumstances for sixth formers, but still not professional.

It was okay for Chris Woodhead to shag one of his sixth formers and then go on to become chief inspector of schools...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/1999/apr/11/martinbright.theobserver1

Maybe that's what made him the man he is today...

http://www.cognitaschools.co.uk/chris-woodhead.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Woodhead

Sorry i'm a bit late in the day with this comment but only just found the blog.

Firstly, i would like to say i wouldn't want to be a secondary school teacher (even if i had the skills, training etc) as they are completely at the peril of hormone fuelled teenagers who know they can (and do) get away with anything these days as nobody has any power to control them properly anymore. So bring back the cane and proper discipline in the classrooms is what i say. Never did me any harm (never got caned but the threat of it was enough for me to behave suitably).

Secondly, is there anybody out there who seriously did not have a crush on a teacher at school - god, i used to find any excuse to go up to my form teachers' desk to ask her something, especially when she had an open necked blouse - cor she was really something, especially to a gagging for it 14 year old!!
I have to say that if the two people involved are legally able to have a sexual relationship then that is up to them as long as it does not impact on other pupils, staff and the work and reputation of the school. And what is all the bollocks about an age gap? My parents have an 11 year age gap, does that make them perverts or something??
Oh by the way studentteacher i bet there are loads of girl students who want to see you naked!!

Wtfman, I certainly agree with everything you've written there.

On the cane...whoever decided that discipine wasn't in our children's best interest needs to be constantly reminded of how their liberalism has created a monster.

On age gap... what gives us the right to set other adults parameters and to try insinuate that some relationships are more normal than others based purely on their age. It's none of our business if a 16 year old wants to sleep with a 26 year old, 36 year old or 106 year old. Trust and grooming issues in relation to age gaps can only apply if one party is under the age of consent; when both are over it's ludicrous to suggest anyone could have been groomed.

On crushes on teachers... of course. Furthermore, nothing flags up in my mind when I'm told about scenarios like 24 year old dating 17 year old. It's rather sweet.

So, yeah, as I say, I think you're right on this one.

I'm particularly ferocious and very passionate with this issue because I feel that our hyper-paranoia about all things sexual is actually poisoning our relationship with young people. Every day this wretched government come something new and it's got to stop.