A married deputy headteacher at a prestigious all-girls’ school embarked on a secret two-year affair with an art teacher – with the pair locking themselves into school cupboards for their illicit encounters.
Liyarna Beamish, 39, was deputy head at Ribston Hall High School, a selective grammar school in Gloucestershire, when she began a clandestine relationship with colleague Gareth Collins, 45.
The pair regularly engaged in sexual intercourse in the school’s art room and locked supply cupboards, including during school hours while pupils were nearby.
Both Mrs Beamish and Mr Collins were banned from the profession by the teaching watchdog for unacceptable professional conduct.
In damning findings released by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), the pair admitted to the long-running sexual relationship, with Mrs Beamish confirming the trysts took place ‘during the school day and after school’ on ‘multiple occasions’ over a ‘couple of years’.
School leaders became aware of the relationship in June last year after explicit sexual messages sent between the teachers on encrypted apps detailing arrangements of their liaisons came to light.
When questioned by investigators, Mrs Beamish gave frank admissions how the couple regularly had sex in Mr Collins’ art room and two art cupboards with the ‘doors locked’.
Panel chair Laura Mullin said: ‘Ms Beamish expressly admitted that she had engaged in sexual activities and sexual intercourse on the school premises during working hours with a member of teaching staff.
Liyarna Beamish, 39, pictured, was deputy head at Ribston Hall High School, a selective grammar school in Gloucestershire, when she began a clandestine relationship with her colleague
The deputy head and Gareth Collins, 45, pictured, regularly engaged in sexual intercourse in the school’s art room and locked supply cupboards
‘She also expressly admitted that she used her mobile phone during school hours to send and receive messages of an explicit sexual nature.’
Mr Collins, a teacher of 18 years, admitted having sex with Mrs Beamish ‘sporadically’ over a ‘few years’ in his classroom.
Both were dismissed from their positions at Ribston Hall in July 2024.
The TRA panel found both teachers guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, concluding their behaviour was sexually motivated.
Despite Mrs Beamish’s claims that Mr Collins had ’emotionally manipulated’ her and instigated the affair, the panel determined both were willing participants.
The report stated: ‘The panel felt that Ms Beamish’s conduct had fallen very far short of the standard of behaviour which was required of her as a teacher and had seriously breached professional boundaries.’
Mrs Beamish, who joined Ribston Hall in 2016, defended herself by saying she took ‘many precautions to ensure that she would never be seen doing these acts’ and claimed the sexual messages she sent were ‘private’ and ‘encrypted’.
Mr Collins admitted to the affair when confronted and expressed ‘deep regret’.
Ms Mullin said in her ruling: ‘Ms Beamish expressly admitted that she had engaged in sexual activities and sexual intercourse on the school premises during working hours with a member of teaching staff.
‘She also expressly admitted that she used her mobile phone during school hours to send and receive messages of an explicit sexual nature.
‘The panel also noted that Ms Beamish was clear in that investigatory meeting that no-one had seen them engage in these activities and that they occurred in locations with locked doors.’
She added: ‘The implications for any pupil who had discovered them could have been serious.’
The regulator said both teachers were seeking ‘sexual gratification’ and ‘fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession’.
Beamish married fellow media studies teacher Ross Beamish in 2018. The couple are understood to have had three children together.
Recent social media posts suggest the pair remain together. Mr Beamish, a former Labour election candidate, last month shared a happy photo of the pair embracing.
Mrs Beamish married fellow media studies teacher Ross Beamish, pictured, in 2018 and they are understood to have had three children together
Mrs Beamish’s claimed that Mr Collins, pictured, had ’emotionally manipulated’ her and instigated the affair
Both Beamish and Collins cannot reapply to the teaching register for two years. They have 28 days to appeal the ruling.
Signing off on the ban on behalf of education secretary Bridget Phillipson, civil servant David Oatley said: ‘The findings of misconduct are serious as they include a finding of engaging in sexual intercourse and/or activity with a colleague on school premises and during school hours.’
Ribston Hall is a state-funded grammar school for girls aged 11-16. Its sixth form allows boys to attend.
Notable former pupils at the school, rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, include former Hollyoaks actress Christina Baily, 44, Team GB Olympic rower Beth Rodford, 42, and The Wanted singer Nathan Sykes, 32.
In a post on the school’s social media pages, Mrs Beamish introduced herself to new pupils, saying: ”My top tip is ‘say ‘Yes!’
‘Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, you might learn something new about yourself, make a new friend or spark a new interest,’ she added.
She defended herself by saying she took ‘many precautions to ensure that she would never be seen doing these acts’
Mrs Beamish told pupils about what she liked about her job on the grammar school website
Mr Collins, a teacher of 18 years, pictured, admitted having sex with Mrs Beamish ‘sporadically’ over a ‘few years’ in his classroom
Mrs Beamish, left, confirmed the trysts took place ‘during the school day and after school’ on ‘multiple occasions’ over a ‘couple of years’. Pictured: Mrs Beamish and her husband, Ross
Mr Collins is a father of two young children who was married to Helen Stevenson, 54.
The couple were recorded as living together in Quedgley, near Gloucester, until 2024 but are now understood to be estranged.
Mr Collins now lives in Cardiff, south Wales, with his parents, from where he runs a hypnotherapy and holistic wellbeing business.
Launching The Hypnotic Tree in April, Mr Collins told how he offers prospective customers “mind-body-spirit transformation with a personal touch”.
He wrote: ” I believe that anyone can flourish again, no matter what storms they have weathered.
“My approach is calm, compassionate and deeply personalised, blending tried-and-true hypnotherapy techniques with a creative touch to help you create lasting, meaningful change.”
