A secondary school teacher has been permanently barred from the classroom after a disciplinary panel found he made deeply inappropriate comments to a Muslim student about her appearance and referenced Iran's strict dress code laws.
The incident occurred during a lesson where Joshua Sutcliffe, who taught at a school in Oxfordshire, engaged in what the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) described as "unprofessional conduct of a serious nature."
Inappropriate Classroom Comments
According to the official findings, Sutcliffe told one Muslim student that she could be "killed in Iran" for not wearing a hijab during a discussion about religious dress codes. The comment was made in front of other pupils, causing significant distress to the student involved.
The TRA panel heard evidence that Sutcliffe had previously mocked Muslim students for their appearance, with one incident involving him laughing at a pupil's traditional clothing and making derogatory remarks.
Pattern of Unprofessional Behaviour
Beyond the comments about religious dress, the investigation revealed multiple instances of concerning behaviour. The teacher was found to have:
- Made inappropriate comments about students' religious practices
- Failed to maintain professional boundaries with pupils
- Demonstrated a lack of cultural sensitivity in the classroom
- Created an environment where Muslim students felt targeted
Lifetime Teaching Ban Imposed
In their ruling, the TRA stated that Sutcliffe's actions "fell significantly short of the standards expected of the teaching profession" and that his behaviour had "undermined public confidence in the profession."
The panel imposed a prohibition order, banning him from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college, or youth accommodation in England. The decision means he cannot apply for restoration of his teaching credentials at any point in the future.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education supported the ruling, stating that teachers must "uphold the highest standards of conduct" and that discriminatory behaviour would not be tolerated in English schools.
