A teacher who had sex with a pupil who sent him naked pictures says he now uses a “traffic light system” to make choices and wants his job back.
Ross Spittal, a former maths teacher from Inveralmond Community High in West Lothian, had sex with the S6 pupil at his home on at least two occasions.
The 32-year-old began a romantic relationship with the 18-year-old in 2019 while he was in a long-term relationship.
He left his partner for the girl and they are still together.
The relationship was outed when Spittal’s girlfriend at the time, Kim Smyth, 33, found over 800 emails, including nude images, between the pair on their shared computer.
It was on the online teaching system Glow that Spittal and the girl exchanged messages.
At a hearing in front of the General Teaching Council for Scotland yesterday, Spittal, of Bishopton, Renfrewshire, admitted his relationship with the pupil was “totally inappropriate”.
Despite being “ashamed” of his actions, he believes he should return to teaching and told the panel how he has now taken new measures when making decisions in his life.
Spittal, now a courier said: “I think about it everyday while I’m sitting in my van about where I could be if I hadn’t made stupid mistakes. I made decisions and choices I made in a five-to-six week period I am ashamed and embarrassed of.
“I use a traffic light system – stop, thought and action.
“I stop and process what is going on around me, I then think and assess my options before proceeding.
“I should have used it after the kiss had happened.
“My professionalism was called into place, it won’t happen again – I admit all of the allegations.”
The hearing continues.
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