AN ELTHAM College economics teacher has been hauled before a disciplinary panel after an "inappropriate relationship" with one of her pupils.

A professional conduct panel heard that Ms Barsham-Rolfe, a former News International finance worker who joined the school in 2010, struck up the relationship with a 17-year-old student.

The pair exchanged numerous messages via Facebook, email and text, also meeting alone outside of school to go running together.

Ms Barsham-Rolfe, described in the panel report as "a good teacher with a promising future", was eventually confronted by the boys parents and agreed to stop non-essential contact with him.

But the messages continued and she was suspended from the school in April.

The panel heard she has since accepted the relationship was inappropriate, and there is no allegation it was sexual in nature.

And the panel did not recommend imposing a prohibition order, concluding that the teacher did not pose a risk to children, had shown remorse and had simply "became too involved with supporting her student emotionally".