A female physical education teacher at a Southampton secondary school is on trial accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old pupil, a court heard. Bronwen James, 30, is charged with four counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

According to the prosecution, James became "flirtatious" with the teenage boy and invited him to her home multiple times, where they allegedly had sex while watching the Wimbledon tennis tournament. The boy told police in a video interview that their first sexual encounter occurred during one of these visits, describing how their interaction progressed from watching television to having sex upstairs after kissing on the sofa.

The pupil, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, described being "groomed" by James but said at the time he believed the relationship was "great." He told the court that James instructed him to call her “Miss” when they were alone and admitted she secretly gave him vapes during class, which he considered unusual but accepted.

Prosecutor Edward Culver outlined that the relationship began after the boy sought to add James on Snapchat. Initially reluctant, she eventually accepted, and their messaging quickly became flirtatious. The pair met outside school, including occasions at Weston Shore where they kissed in a car, before James allegedly picked him up for subsequent meetings at her house.

The court also heard that James expressed emotional attachment, telling the pupil she loved him and wanted to move away with him, including a call made from her leavers’ party with other teachers present in the background. The boy interpreted these actions as signs that James cared about him.

James taught at Bitterne Park School at the time. The prosecution presented evidence that she saved the pupil’s contact in her phone under the name “Number 8,” which they suggested implied he was the eighth male she had had sexual contact with. Culver said the school became aware of the relationship after a student showed a teacher text messages between James and the pupil, which appeared to indicate a “sexually charged relationship.”

James denies the allegations and has maintained that the student never visited her home and that no sexual relationship occurred. During a police interview conducted under caution, she declined to answer questions directly, instead providing a prepared statement through her solicitor. She also claimed the pupil’s accusations were influenced by another student.

The court was told there was no use of protection during the alleged sexual encounters. The trial is ongoing.