A TEACHER who siphoned tens of thousands of pounds of public money meant to help children with mental health issues has been banned from the profession.

Sharon May, of Caister Close, Urmston, was employed as a teacher and a SENCO at Irlam and Cardishead College from September 1997 until February 2015.

In October 2014, Salford Council was tipped off that 46-year-old May had been misusing the grant budget allocated for Targeting Mental Health in Schools (TAMHS).

The cash had been spent on Trafford Centre vouchers, restaurant vouchers and vouchers for Center Parcs – all ordered by May.

May was asked to explain why the vouchers had been bought and how they had been put to use but provided false information to the council.

She was suspended in November 2014 so that further investigations could take place. She was invited to attend an investigation meeting in December 2014, but declined due to poor health.

May resigned from the school in February 2015 and shortly after, a police investigation was launched.

She admitted that, in total, she had spent more than £40,000 of school funds, which included paying for holidays and expenses for herself and her family.

In March last year, May pleaded guilty to three offences of fraud in the Crown Court at Manchester and was handed a 24 months prison sentence, suspended for 24 months. She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

On December 22, a National College for Teaching and Leadership professional misconduct panel determined that May was in breach of the Teachers’ Standards and she was banned from the classroom.

The ruling read: “The panel did not consider that Ms May's actions had a potential impact on the safety or security of pupils or members of the public. However, her actions deprived vulnerable pupils of public monies that had been allocated to enhance their educational needs.

“To that extent, Ms May has failed to show respect for the rights of those pupils. The panel has also taken account of how the teaching profession is viewed by others. The panel noted that the sentencing judge stated, 'you are no longer a respected teacher, you are a criminal'.

“The panel considered that Ms May's behaviour in committing the offence could affect the public confidence in the teaching profession given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.”

The prohibition order means May is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.