Headmaster struck off... after giving his wedding ring to pupil
A HEADTEACHER has been struck off after giving his wedding ring to a pupil with whom he spent ‘long periods’ alone in his office.
Gordon McDonald allowed the pupil to keep his wedding ring ‘for periods of time’.
Mr McDonald, who tried to keep his identity secret, agreed to be removed from the teaching register, which meant he avoided a public hearing.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) disclosed in a report that Mr McDonald, former head of Kirkwall Grammar, Orkney, also failed to record meetings with pupils in early 2015.
The head signed a Removal with Consent Order last month. The GTCS had tried to anonymise the school but Orkney Council has confirmed Mr McDonald had worked for it.
The document, signed by Mr McDonald, was made public yesterday and reads: ‘I admit the below allegations in full.
‘Between January 1, 2015, and February 28, 2015, while employed as headteacher at School A you did spend long periods of time alone in your office with Pupil A with the door closed, failed to record discussions with Pupil A on the school recording system “on the button” and repeatedly swap rings with Pupil A and allow Pupil A to keep your wedding ring for periods of time.
‘In light of the above, it is alleged that your fitness to teach is impaired and you are unfit to teach.
‘I waive my right to further adjudication proceedings. I agree to the imposition of the below disposal order.’
Mr McDonald’s representa- tive tried to have his client’s name kept secret on the grounds that his private life should be protected. He also cited continuing health problems as a reason for not having his name made public.
The GTCS panel rejected the application, stating: ‘The principles of openness and fairness are the basis for the position that hearings are held in public and decisions published.
‘The panel agreed with the officer’s submission that the bar is set high, to justify the anonymisation of a written decision.
‘This is because of the disclosure of such information being in the public interest and because of the need to maintain confidence in the GTCS.
‘In all of the circumstances, the panel were not satisfied that, in the circumstances of this allegation which has been admitted, the teacher’s interests... in having the decision anonymised outweighed the public interest.’
A spokesman for Orkney Islands Council said: ‘Mr McDonald is no longer employed by Orkney Islands Council, having left our employment in December 2015.
‘An internal investigation was carried out, details of which were referred to the GTCS as is the correct procedure.
‘Our focus is on the future and ensuring Kirkwall Grammar School continues to be a great place for pupils to learn and enjoy their time at school.’
‘In your office with Pupil A’