A TEACHER faces being struck off over ‘inappropriate’ behaviour toward a pupil at a top private school.

Maths master Luke Stewart, 28, of Caerphilly, sent a girl, aged 15, birthday cards and wrote in pink ink on her exam paper at the while working at a £12,000-a-year Roman Catholic school, a misconduct hearing was told last week.

Stewart was investigated after pupils complained about "favouritism" towards the teenage girl at the school - rated in the top ten in Britain for A-level results.

But the hearing committee agreed there was not enough evidence to prove that Stewart shown favouritism towards Pupil A, or flirted with her.

It also ruled his actions at St John's College, in St Mellons, Cardiff, were not proved to be "sexually motivated".

Accusation that Stewart had "encroached Pupil A's personal space" were also dismissed.

But he still faces being struck off after the panel found his behaviour went against a teacher's duty of maintaining "mutual trust and respect" with students.

The chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee, Helene Mansfield, called his behaviour "inappropriate".

"The birthday card that was sent to Pupil A in 2016 has also been carefully considered. Concerns were raised that the card was signed 'Stewey'," she said.

It was also proved that Stewart had engaged with "extensive text message conversations" with Pupil A's mother.

Ms Mansfield said Stewart's reasons for meeting the mother at locations outside of the school were "evasive and concerning".

Giving evidence at the misconduct hearing in Cardiff, Stewart described his words as being "overly emotional."

But he said they were meant as encouragement and "borne out of frustration that the pupil had developed an extremely negative attitude".

Stewart also admitted sending Pupil A a birthday card, but said it was one of several he had sent to pupils he had tutored.

He had denied flirting and showing favouritism towards the girl and invading the pupil's personal space.

Stewart joined the school in 2011 but left by mutual agreement in 2016.

The case has now been adjourned for a decision on sanctions which include suspending him from the teaching register.