Full Breakdown
Teachers Struck Off for Misconduct in Scotland and England
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Events
Two separate professional conduct hearings resulted in teachers being removed from the teaching register for serious breaches of conduct. In Scotland, the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) panel found history and modern studies teacher John Kerr had made inappropriate remarks about a pupil’s clothing, used aggressive language toward other pupils, and physically handled a student. The panel imposed a one-year removal from the register. In England, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct panel concluded that mathematics teacher Christopher Clarkson had grabbed a pupil’s coat, swore at the student, and pushed the pupil against a wall in an October 2024 corridor incident, leading to an indefinite teaching ban that can be reviewed after five years.
Key Figures
Timeline
- March 9 2024 – GTCS panel hearing began.
- August 25 2024 – GTCS panel hearing resumed.
- October 2024 – Incident involving Christopher Clarkson occurred at The de Ferrers Academy.
- November 2024 – TRA panel heard evidence and issued its ruling.
Data & Statistics
- John Kerr faced two distinct incidents (December 2018 and February 2019) involving a female pupil’s attire and aggressive language toward three pupils.
- The GTCS panel determined the cumulative behaviour warranted a one-year removal from the teaching register.
- Christopher Clarkson’s conduct led to an indefinite ban from teaching, with a statutory review possible after five years.
Official Statements & Responses
- The panel recorded that the pupil was “panicking” and that the teacher’s behaviour was “not remediated.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I reached out and grabbed his coat” — Christopher Clarkson
What’s Next
- John Kerr may appeal the GTCS decision to the Court of Session within 28 days of service of the decision notice.
- Christopher Clarkson can apply to have his indefinite prohibition order set aside after five years, subject to a review by the Teaching Regulation Agency.