Kirsty Buchan's Dismissal from Teaching Due to OnlyFans Activity
Kirsty Buchan, a former physics teacher at Bannerman High School in Glasgow, faced significant professional and financial repercussions after her involvement with the content subscription service OnlyFans was revealed. Buchan, aged 34 from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, had initially resigned in 2022 once it became known that her students had accessed her explicit content online, created under the pseudonym "Jessica Jackrabbit".
Impact on Professional Standing
The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) removed Buchan from the teaching register in June 2025, stating her failure to maintain a separation between her personal and professional identities. Their verdict highlighted a lack of integrity in her actions, deeming them not reflective of the standards expected of educators.
Financial Penalties for Unpaid Taxes
Buchan also faced monetary difficulties stemming from penalties imposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). She was fined £25,189.28 and ordered to pay unpaid taxes totaling £38,902.37 accrued between April 2022 and April 2023. This fine places her on a public list of those who had "deliberately defaulted" on tax payments exceeding £25,000, a move by HMRC aimed at discouraging non-compliance.
Defensive Stance on OnlyFans Engagement
Defending her decision in interviews with The Scottish Sun and the Daily Record, Buchan cited financial necessity as the primary reason for turning to OnlyFans, claiming potential earnings from the platform could be as high as £60,000 a month. Before transitioning to online content creation, she also attempted other jobs like working at Tesco and participating as an elf in Christmas events to supplement her income.
Buchan's Response to Controversy
Despite the upheaval in her career, Buchan claimed she never intended to permanently leave teaching and valued the support from some former colleagues and students. She also voiced distress over having her images illegally downloaded and shared among her students, reinforcing concerns about professional boundaries and the impact on the teaching profession’s reputation.
Ongoing Tax Dispute
Buchan is currently disputing the exact amount owed and the corresponding penalties. She communicated to BBC Scotland News her intention to resolve these disputes and settle any outstanding balance. Kevin Hubbard, from HMRC, accentuated the necessity of publicizing names of tax defaulters as a deterrent and to maintain fairness in business compliance.
Broader Implications of Economic Pressures
This case has ignited discussions on the pressures that drive professionals to engage in gig economy roles, the transformation of online content creation landscapes, and the enduring consequences of digital activities on personal and professional lives.
