A teacher who emailed a female pupil inappropriately, took a photograph of her without consent and asked her to delete their messages has been banned from the classroom.

Robin Malton, who taught at Norwich High School for Girls from 2000 to 2016, has been given an indefinite prohibition order by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL).

A professional conduct panel, held in April, heard he 'failed to maintain professional boundaries' with a female pupil at the school, years after he was given a final written warning in 2002 for inappropriate contact with another pupil.

The panel heard the head of computing emailed the pupil's personal account outside school hours, with one message saying 'it was nice to spend time with you this week'.

The 59-year-old took a photograph of the girl without her permission, asked her to delete their messages and held meetings which went 'beyond the teacher pupil relationship'.

Early last year, the pupil raised concerns with the school. Mr Malton was suspended three days later and dismissed after a disciplinary hearing last March.

Mr Malton, who may apply for the order to be reviewed in seven years, also bought the pupil gifts, including birthday cakes, but the panel said he did the same for other pupils and did not find the actions inappropriate.

They found no evidence of sexual misconduct.

In an outcome report, they said his behaviour fell 'significantly short' of the standards expected, and that his conduct 'was not dissimilar' to that which led to the 2002 warning.

The report said Mr Malton claimed he had a 'heavy workload' at the time and conflicts between roles which led to 'exhaustion and poor judgment'.

A spokesperson for Norwich High School for Girls said: 'When concerns about Mr Malton's behaviour were flagged up last year, he was immediately reported to the authorities, and suspended from school. Following his suspension, he was subsequently dismissed.

'The welfare of our pupils is our priority and girls are encouraged to share any concerns they may have and these are immediately acted upon.'

They said the 2002 incident was 'dealt with under disciplinary procedures set at the time'.