Kirsty Buchan: The Story Behind the Headlines & Broader Lessons

Kirsty Buchan — the name now known across much of the UK and beyond — has become a flashpoint for debates about professionalism, privacy, financial pressures, and the evolving nature of work in the digital age. Once a physics teacher at a Glasgow high school, Buchan’s decision to run an adult-content subscription page on OnlyFans under the alias “Jessica Jackrabbit” escalated into a scandal when pupils discovered her online profile.

That discovery triggered a cascade of events: her resignation, a disciplinary hearing, a two-year teaching ban imposed by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), and ultimately, a public naming by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as a deliberate tax defaulter — owing tens of thousands of pounds in unpaid taxes and penalties.

Early Life and Background — Who Is Kirsty Buchan

Personal Background

Kirsty Buchan was born around 1989. She studied physics at university and eventually became a physics teacher at Bannerman High School in Baillieston, Glasgow. Over several years she built a reputation among students and staff.

She is also a single mother and has spoken about the financial pressures of supporting her son, including his medical needs. These pressures became a major motivator for seeking additional income outside her teaching salary.

Why She Turned to Side Income

Buchan reportedly felt her teaching salary wasn’t enough to support rent, bills, and her son’s medical expenses. She saw other people earning supplemental income online and began exploring options. Eventually, she created an OnlyFans account under the pseudonym “Jessica Jackrabbit.”

She later described herself as a “good teacher gone bad… really bad.”

What Happened: Discovery, Fallout & Consequences

Students Discover the Account

The turning point came when pupils at her school recognized her on OnlyFans. Older students shared the content among themselves and informed the headteacher. Parents also lodged complaints.

This triggered an investigation by the school and eventually the GTCS.

Under pressure, Buchan resigned from her teaching position in December 2022.

GTCS Disciplinary Hearing and Teaching Ban

A disciplinary hearing was held in June 2025. Buchan did not attend.

The GTCS concluded she had:

Breached professional boundaries

Failed to protect her identity sufficiently

Allowed students potential access to adult material

Brought the teaching profession into disrepute

She was struck off the teaching register. Some reports describe it as a two-year ban; others describe it as permanent removal.

Financial Fallout: OnlyFans Earnings and Taxes

Buchan said she earned up to £60,000 in a single month on OnlyFans.

However, she failed to declare this income to HMRC. In 2025, the tax authority publicly named her a deliberate tax defaulter, stating she owed around £38,900 in unpaid tax plus about £25,000 in penalties — over £64,000 total.

She disputes some charges but has said she plans to settle once the dispute is resolved.

Public Reaction

The story spread quickly. Opinions were divided:

Some called her actions unprofessional.

Others blamed poor teacher pay and economic hardship.

Many discussed stigma around adult content and the pressures on single parents.

Some argued for personal autonomy; others stressed safeguarding responsibilities.

Buchan said she never thought she would be “caught,” believing her alias, wig, and efforts to hide her identity protected her.

Why This Case Resonates

Private Life vs. Public Profession

Her situation highlights the tension between personal autonomy and professional responsibility. Teaching, like healthcare or law enforcement, demands public trust. Adult-content creation blurs boundaries, especially when anonymity fails.

The Rise of Side Hustles

Economic pressures have pushed many people toward digital side income. Buchan’s case reflects:

rising cost of living

single-parent financial strain

the accessibility of online income

lack of social safety nets

Stigma & Gendered Expectations

Women in caring professions often face harsher judgment when they engage in stigmatized work. Buchan’s case became a focal point in debates about autonomy, sex work, and societal double standards.

What We Still Don’t Know

Some details remain uncertain:

Her educational background specifics

Her life before teaching

Whether her ban is temporary or permanent

Whether she will return to teaching

How her tax dispute will be resolved

Most available information comes from public statements and media coverage.

Practical Guide: Navigating Side Hustles in Sensitive Professions

Step 1: Clarify Your Motivations

Ask yourself:

Are you doing this out of necessity?

Is it sustainable?

What are the risks vs. rewards?

Step 2: Understand Taxes and Legal Requirements

Any income — even online — is usually taxable. Keep:

Records

Deadlines

Separate accounts

Non-compliance can result in penalties and public disclosure.

Step 3: Evaluate Professional Boundaries

If your main job involves public trust (teaching, healthcare, childcare):

Think carefully about potential career consequences

Understand codes of conduct

Assess risks to anonymity

Step 4: Protect Your Privacy

Use separate accounts

Avoid linking personal identifiers

Understand that anonymity online is never guaranteed

Step 5: Plan Long-Term

Can you exit if needed?

Do your savings and career options protect you if things go wrong?

Step 6: Transparency (When Required)

Some professions require disclosure of outside work. Determine:

What must be reported

Whether non-disclosure could violate policy

Trends (2025): Why Cases Like This Are Increasing

Digital Platform Growth

Platforms like OnlyFans and Patreon have made digital income accessible to millions.

Rising Cost of Living

Financial hardship is pushing more people toward online side income.

Regulatory Crackdowns

Tax authorities are increasingly monitoring online earnings.

Professional Standards Under Scrutiny

Institutions are re-evaluating:

social-media policies

outside-work guidelines

safeguarding rules

Cultural Shifts

There is ongoing debate about:

privacy vs. professionalism

modern morality

stigmatization of adult content

Similar Cases & Broader Patterns

Many professionals — teachers, nurses, police officers — have faced disciplinary action when their adult-content ventures were discovered. Common patterns:

Financial pressure → side hustle

Attempted anonymity

Discovery

Institutional action

Public backlash

This reflects structural economic issues, not just individual choices

For Individuals

Stress and fear of exposure

Identity conflicts

Potential lifelong career impact

For Institutions

Needs for clearer policies

Balancing staff privacy with public expectations

Providing financial and emotional support to employees

For Society

Growing gig economy vs. low wages

Lack of social support

Changing views on adult content

Need for tax and digital regulation reform

What Could Have Been Done Differently

Possible alternatives:

Tutoring or educational side jobs

Financial support programs

Earlier tax compliance

Stricter anonymity measures

Employer support or counseling

None of these guarantee equivalent income, which highlights deeper economic problems.

Future Possibilities for Buchan

Settling tax issues and switching careers

Returning to teaching (if the ban is temporary)

Becoming a full-time digital creator

Advocacy work or public commentary

Changes in policy emerging from her case

Major Themes

Teaching wages may be insufficient

Digital income is a double-edged sword

Personal and professional lives are increasingly inseparable

Women in public professions face disproportionate scrutiny

Systemic financial issues push people into risky work

FAQ

Who is Kirsty Buchan?

A former Glasgow physics teacher whose OnlyFans activity led to her resignation and teaching ban.

Why was she banned?

Her adult content was discovered by students, breaching professional conduct standards.

How much did she earn?

She claimed up to £60,000 in a single month.

What happened with taxes?

She was named a deliberate tax defaulter for owing over £64,000 in tax and penalties.

Is her situation unique?

No — it reflects broader economic pressures and the rise of digital side hustles.

Final Thoughts

The story of Kirsty Buchan is not simply scandalous — it reflects modern realities: the collision between economic necessity, evolving digital work, professional ethics, and societal expectations. Whether viewed sympathetically or critically, her story reveals systemic problems around income inequality, privacy, gendered judgment, and the shifting nature of employment in a digital age.