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The former headteacher of Cwmcarn Primary School has been struck off after he inappropriately restrained a pupil who was being assessed for autism spectrum disorder.

Nicholas Saunders was removed from the Education Workforce Council register for a minimum of two years after a fitness-to-practise committee held earlier this month.

Mr Saunders had joined the school as deputy head in 2008 and was its headteacher between 2014 and 2019.

On January 31, 2019, Mr Saunders was involved in an incident where he shouted at and grabbed the pupil, aged seven or eight and had restrained him using an inappropriate technique. He had also removed the boy’s ear defenders – used as a means to help calm the child.

The committee panel was told that the pupil, referred to as Pupil A, had difficulty regulating his emotions and was being assessed for autism spectrum disorder at the time – a diagnosis which was later made.

Three staff members all told the committee they had witnessed Mr Saunders throughout the incident being aggressive in tone and using a restraint technique called a ‘Seated T Wrap’. This is where the restrained kneels behind the child and wraps their arms around them. It should only be used as a last resort where the pupil becomes a danger to himself and others.

Despite Mr Saunders’ denial that he attempted the restraint, the panel disagreed and said the restraint was inappropriate because Pupil A was not a danger to himself and others.

The panel, sitting remotely on July 6 and July 7, found six allegations against Saunders, who did not attend the hearing, proven.

In its ruling the panel said: “Although Mr Saunders expressed regret for his actions on the day in question, he has continued to deny the allegations. Mr Saunders has not expressed regret or shown remorse, particularly for the impact on Pupil A. Similarly, Mr Saunders has not shown any insight into his conduct. The Committee concluded that the conduct found proved was too serious for a Reprimand.”

Mr Saunders was removed from the Education Workforce Council’s register as a school teacher indefinitely and is not allowed to make an application to be put back on it for at least two years.