Primary teacher faces hearing over claims of ‘inappropriate behaviour’
AN AYRSHIRE teacher is facing a professional disciplinary hearing over claims that they acted inappropriately while working at three primary schools in the area.
The incidents are alleged to have taken place between August 2016 and February 2018, at Bellsbank Primary, Dalmellington Primary and Shortlees Primary.
The teacher has not been named, but it is alleged that their fitness to teach is impaired and that they are unfit to teach as a result of breaching parts of the 2012 Code of Professionalism and Conduct laid down by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC).
Allegations published on the GTC website include claims that the teacher “[did] act inappropriately towards Colleague A in that you did: on or around 18 August 2017, rub your hand on her leg and disclose sexually explicit details of your private life; on another occasion disclose sexually explicit details of your private life; and on multiple occasions touch, rub and squeeze her shoulders with your hands.”
The teacher is also accused of rubbing a colleague’s neck with their hands while working at Bellsbank Primary, touching the colleague’s hair, and putting their arms around the colleague’s body.
Between August 2016 and October 2016, there is also an accusation of acting in a similar way towards a separate colleague.
That allegation claims that “you did on multiple occasions rub her back and shoulders with your hands”.
There is another complaint that whilst working for the
East Ayrshire support team, the teacher allegedly put their arms around a different colleague and kissed her on the lips.
Another allegation, involving a different colleague, between August 2017 and February 2018 claims that “[the teacher did] act inappropriately towards Colleague E in that you did repeatedly
The GTC hearing will continue on December 7, 8 and 9 touch and rub her back with your hands.
The allegation continues: “On multiple occasions between August 2017 and February 2018, whilst at Bellsbank Primary School and Shortlees Primary School [you did] act inappropriately towards Colleague F in that you did rub her neck, back and shoulders with your hands; put your arms around her waist; and in or around February 2018 kiss her on the cheek.”
Another allegation from January 2018 claims that the teacher disclosed sexually explicit details of their private life to a separate colleague.
The accusation published by the GTC also claims that “in or around January 2018, whilst at Dalmellington Primary School, [you did] act inappropriately towards Colleague H in that you did place your hands on top of her hands and kiss her on the forehead...[and] on or around 21 February 2018, act inappropriately towards Colleague A and Colleague G in that you did place your arms around their shoulders.
“Your actions at all of the allegations above were of a sexually motivated nature.”
Part of the hearing took place earlier this month, and it is set to be continued on December 7, 8 and 9.
East Ayrshire Council has been contacted for comment.