Teacher struck off over porn videos in class

A Chemistry teacher who allowed pupils to watch pornographic videos in class has been struck off.

Claire Thompson used her school computer to show shocking clips of cartoon character Shrek abusing young children.

Pupils had asked to watch the videos and she put them on and ‘laughed’ along with them.

Thompson, who taught at a high school in fife, was reported and suspended. her case was then referred to the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

She has now been found guilty by the GTCS of repeatedly allowing pupils to watch material of an ‘inappropriate and sexual nature’ during classes using council equipment between october and December 2016.

A charge that she repeatedly left pupils unsupervised within the classroom was also found proved.

following a hearing in edinburgh, a GTCS panel found she was unfit to teach and removed her name from the register.

Pupils studying higher Chemistry in Thompson’s class gave evidence that the videos were shown weekly on a large smart board via her work computer. one said the

‘Inappropriate and sexual’

videos showed Shrek going into a school and abusing a boy aged about 12.

She added that the videos made her feel uncomfortable but Thomp- son seemed to think they were funny and did not turn them off.

Another pupil said classmates had suggested putting on the videos to Thompson as a ‘joke’ and did not expect her to play them.

The headteacher viewed the videos and described them as ‘pornographic’.

Thompson, who did not attend the hearing, said an inappropriate video had only been shown once.

In a written ruling, the panel said: ‘The panel regarded the conduct as very serious. It noted the teacher had not fully admitted the allegations or offered a clear expression of regret. Because the teacher did not attend the hearing, the panel was unable to question her.

‘The panel determined the public interest required a finding that the teacher was unfit to teach.’

Thompson can apply to be re-registered after two years.

Shelagh mclean, head of education and children services at fife Council, said: ‘We don’t discuss the individual circumstances of any current or former employees.’