A former headteacher has been banned from teaching indefinitely after making a series of sexual remarks to female staff and engaging in inappropriate physical contact. Paul Scott, 54, was headteacher at Arboretum Primary School in Derby before a Teaching Regulation Agency panel found his behaviour amounted to sexual harassment.
The panel heard that Mr Scott made comments such as 'If you're struggling I'm happy to rub your chest' and 'they're a nice pair of guinea pigs, I'd like to give them a squeeze'. He also told a staff member 'seeing you in your underwear would be a really good start' and commented on their clothing, including 'I can see you have your big pants on today' and 'I'm distracted, you have pictures of dinosaurs on your breasts'.
In addition to the sexualised remarks, the panel found that Mr Scott made derogatory comments about a pupil, calling them 'a bit mad' in their presence, and said 'I'm used to teaching white middle-class children that are like sponges' after teaching a lower ability group. He also failed to stop a teacher and pupil from working together after the teacher made physical contact with the pupil, breaching his safeguarding responsibilities.
Mr Scott admitted to being a 'tactile person' and hugging staff without consent. One staff member reported that he flicked her bottom with his badge while she was at a photocopier. Another staff member, who was visibly emotional recounting the incidents, said she felt her dignity had been violated. The panel concluded that his behaviour was sexual harassment and had an obvious impact on staff.
The panel also criticised Mr Scott for missing a staff training day due to a pre-arranged holiday, which was described as a 'tipping point' in his relationship with staff. He admitted some allegations but denied others. The ban prevents him from teaching in any school in England indefinitely.
