A teacher who falsely claimed to be an educational psychologist and to hold a doctorate and MA qualifications has been banned from teaching for at least five years.

Tracy Doran, who taught at Larches House School, Preston, Lancashire, from 2016 to 2018 admitted unacceptable conduct to a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency.

The panel’s report said the 41-year-old successfully applied to be head of key stage 3 at the school in May 2016, but in November 2017 concerns were raised regarding her allegedly referring to herself as an educational psychologist in a job reference she had written for someone else.

This led to checks into Ms Doran’s qualifications and on 8 January 2018, she was asked to provide original certificates for her claimed qualifications. She resigned the following day.

Ms Doran admitted to having falsely claimed in her application to the school that she had a PhD in special educational needs, an MA in inclusive education and GCSE grades higher than those she actually possessed. She also provided a bogus PhD certificate.

The panel’s report said: “Ms Doran admitted that she deliberately misled the school by providing false information in order to improve her chances of securing employment.”

It imposed a prohibition order on her but decided to allow her to apply after five years to have this lifted because “there was some evidence of personal difficulties which may have had a causative impact on her actions.

“Whilst there was no medical evidence before the panel, it was prepared to accept the indications of severe personal difficulties. Ms Doran had also shown clear regret and remorse and some limited insight into the consequences of her actions.”

Its decision was endorsed by Department for Education decision-maker Alan Meyrick.