School teacher abused her position to groom and sexually abuse a 16-year-old student.

A teacher from a school in Leytonstone has been jailed for two years after admitting to a sexual relationship with a pupil at her school.

Erin Hebblewhite, 29, a disgraced sports tutor at Connaught School for Girls, pleaded guilty to seven charges related to grooming and sexually abusing a 16-year-old student.

Hebblewhite, a contender for "Sports Teacher of the Year," took the teen's virginity in a restaurant bathroom on Valentine's Day and was the first person to kiss her.

She also pressured the victim into having sex in a Primark toilet during a shopping trip.

The abuse came to light when the victim's mother seized her phone and discovered explicit messages between Hebblewhite and her daughter.

Four of the charges relate to sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 to 17, abusing her position of trust, and the fifth charge being sexual activity in the presence of a teenager.

The remaining two charges involve taking and possessing indecent photographs of a girl under the age of 17.

Judge Neil Sanders sentenced Hebblewhite to two years in prison, with all charges running concurrently.

He also imposed a 10-year restraining order and a sexual harm preventing order, prohibiting her from contacting the victim or working with children in any capacity.

"You sent her a text asking if she liked you. From that point, the relationship developed. It developed into flirtation, with you calling her a heart throb and the sexual encounters began. This involved kissing in the school premises and [the complainant] felt she was pressurised and she gave in," said Judge Sanders.

"You went on a date in a restaurant and that was the first occasion in which there was sex. There were rumours going around the school and, in fact, the school warned you to be careful as you could get into trouble. When you split up with your partner, [the complainant] would go to your house and the sex would continue in your house. She had pictures taken of her. She felt she needed to do so to make you happy."

"I have read the victim personal statement and can summarise as such the areas [the victim] describes is feeling guilty and shame and depression, PTSD and feeling suicidal. She describes the interruption of an important time of education and development. 'She talks about the damage to her relationships of her friends, family and her best friend. She says she struggles with adult relationships and she found the criminal process an ordeal. Given the number of your offences, I consider the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody."

Hebblewhite, from Brighton, broke down in tears during the sentencing hearing and attempted to speak to her girlfriend who was present in the public gallery.

The victim attended the hearing alone but was supported by a police victim support officer.