A teacher who dragged a pupil through a school yard by his backpack has been struck-off.
Supply teacher Jonathan Burrett, 52, was banned from teaching after it was said he dragged the boy up 12 flights of stairs.
A fitness to practise hearing in Cardiff was told the pupil, who had thrown a sweet at Burrett’s head, was left “shaken” and injured by the ordeal.
He was subsequently convicted of battery following the incident which happened at an unnamed secondary school in Caerphilly County Borough.
He was subsequently convicted of battery in April 2016 and was ordered to pay a fine of £240 and £50 in compensation.
A year later, in September 2017, Burrett was handed a restraining order at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court after turning up at his ex-girlfriend’s home and repeatedly texting her.
He was also convicted of failing to surrender to custody in September 2017. In January this year he was also convicted of failing to comply with a community order.
In 2007 he was cleared of attacking a schoolboy who had joked that he looked like TV star Barry Chuckle.
Burrett, of St Mellons, Cardiff, was handed a prohibition order at the Education Workforce Council hearing – banning him from teaching. He was not present or represented at the hearing.
Nearly every teacher that taught me when I was in school would have been struck off if these modern, trendy criteria had been applied in the 1970’s. Interestingly it says in the article that the pupil was “inured” which means ‘toughened up’ or ‘trained to absorb pain.’
This is why we are producing generation after generation of lily livered good for nothing saps – far worse was dished out to me and my fellow school mates back in the day when teachers were feared and respected, Mr Burrett has my deepest sympathy he has been hung out to dry and let down by his employers.
I agree, I don’t know anything about this case other than what has been published but on that evidence Mr. Burrett should not have lost his job.
I see that the editor has changed the word ‘inured’ to ‘injured’, maybe that .was what he meant in the first instance!
I agree with all comments on this matter, a clip around the ear done me no harm
I’d go further, Edward. The cane, dap, tee square, accurately thrown board duster, etc did me a lot of good. Strong discipline at home and in school has made me a reasonably useful and caring member of society. Without this discipline I can see another outcome where I would have failed my exams and became a drain on society.
I was no different from children today and I feel so sorry that they (today’s kids) are allowed to run riot by well meaning fools. The results are plain to see in our town centres, A&E wards and a dozen other public areas where bad behavior makes life a misery for young and old alike.
I can’t agree with the comments here. Like it or not, it is illegal for a teacher to the handle a pupil in the way in which other teachers witnessed Mr Burrett doing (as has been reported elsewhere). Mr Burrett knew this. That he did handle the pupil in that way means that he has poor impulse control and let his anger overrule any thought of the inevitable consequences of his highly visible actions. I don’t think a man with such character should be teaching.
I did grow up at a time when teachers were more “hands on”, and it did not do me any harm, as has been said by others here. But those teachers acted as they did knowing that that behaviour was an acceptable part of teaching. Hitting my teacher in the head with a sweet would have been met with a firm response, as was acceptable at the time. Personally, I do believe that the lack of consequence and accountability for pupils and young people is not doing them any good, and is harmful to their character.
The issue being reported isn’t whether the use of physical discipline should be reintroduced, but whether Mr Burrett is fit to teach. Under current law, it is obvious that he is not.
I do not disagree with your comment, it is the laws today and the way they are applied that are faulty. I would add that parental control, or lack of, is also an issue. If I had thrown anything at a teacher I would have been punished in school but also would have faced a worse sanction at home. I knew this and consequently dared not commit any serious misbehaviour.
I really do feel sorry for teachers who have to put up with bad behaviour and also for the children who have to try and learn in surroundings that would have been considered chaotic forty years ago. Time there was a rethink
I have nothing but sympathy for the teachers. The classroom seems to be a toxic environment where certain pupils can disrupt the learning of the others with no fear of punishment, to the detriment of all, teachers included. I’m not temperamentally suited to be able to put up with it (along with Mr Burrett), and I respect those who are. I sympathise with Mr Burrett. I don’t condone his behaviour, but I certainly understand it.
This is a real issue that has been bad for a long time now. As you say, parents have a large role to play, and I say that as a parent with children in school.