A Moray teacher who verbally abused his pupils and then caused the school to go into lockdown after refusing to leave has been struck off.
Steven Charlesworth was deemed unfit to teach following his actions whilst working as a maths teacher at Milne’s High School in Fochabers in 2018.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland has now struck him off following a hearing last month.
The watchdog heard the teacher shouted “who the hell do you think you are?” at a class of third year pupils while slamming his fists on tables and doors, leaving the youngsters “frozen in fear”.
Mr Charlesworth was found to be aggressive and frightening to the pupils after he lost his temper – with the panel hearing from staff that one pupil was crying as a result.
Lockdown after he refused to leave
The panel heard when he was asked to leave by then-headteacher Patricia Cameron, he refused to leave and became argumentative and aggressive.
He then refused to follow the request to leave the high school for 40 minutes, as the teacher said he would not leave until he got a timesheet.
Police were called and the school was put in a “partial lockdown”.
The determination, published today, noted that while Mr Charlesworth accepted the consequences of his actions, he had said he should not be before the panel.
However, the watchdog said he was unfit to teacher and ordered his removal from the register.
‘Conduct falls short of standards expected’
In their ruling, the GTCS said: “It’s the panel’s decision to find all the allegations proved in their entirety.
“The teacher’s conduct falls short of the standards expected of a registered teacher and that he is unfit to teach.
“In accordance to rule 2.10.1 of the Fitness to Teach rules 2017 and article 18 of the public services reform of the GTCS Order 2011.
“As the teacher has been found to be unfit to teach the panel must direct that the teacher’s name be removed from the GTCS.”
Moray Council previously confirmed Mr Charlesworth is no longer employed by them.
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