Headteacher Banned Indefinitely for Throwing Eggs and Making Derogatory Remarks
A headteacher at a school for vulnerable children has been banned from the profession indefinitely after a professional conduct panel found he engaged in serious misconduct, including throwing eggs and stones at pupils and using derogatory language.
Abusive Behaviour and Inappropriate Conduct
The panel determined that Adam Webb, headteacher at Build A Future Independent School (BAF) in Boston, Lincolnshire, committed actions that may bring the teaching profession into disrepute. Between September 2020 and January 2021, he threw stones and eggs at or near pupils and used derogatory, sexualised, abusive, and ableist language towards them.
Specifically, Mr Webb referred to one pupil as being "as wide as a fridge" and "as wide as a bus". He also told at least one pupil that he had sex with their mother. Additionally, he only allowed a colleague down from a cherry picker once she showed him she had deleted a video of eggs being thrown at her.
Panel Findings and Serious Misconduct
The panel concluded that Mr Webb failed to safeguard pupils in his role as headteacher. Decision maker Marc Cavey's report stated: "The panel did not consider any of Mr Webb's actions to be trivial, negligible, or a temporary lapse. Taken individually, each amounted to serious misconduct, and collectively they represented a profound and sustained departure from the standards expected of a headteacher."
The report highlighted that Mr Webb's use of mocking and demeaning language, including comments about pupils' bodies, disability-related slurs, and sexualised remarks, constituted a clear failure to protect vulnerable children. The panel found no supporting evidence of exceptionally high standards or significant contribution to the wider education sector from Mr Webb.
Sustained Pattern of Inappropriate Behaviour
The misconduct was not an isolated incident but formed a sustained course of conduct over several months. This included repeated incidents of encouraging playfighting, unsafe bonfire activities, and inappropriate interactions with staff. Mr Webb also told staff "what happens in BAF stays in BAF", suggesting an intention to conceal inappropriate behaviour.
The panel report stated: "Taken together, these matters demonstrated a clear pattern of behaviour rather than occasional poor judgment." It concluded that Mr Webb had not only failed the pupils but also failed the staff, with any support provided not reaching the threshold of being exceptional.
Indefinite Ban and Wider Implications
As a result, Mr Webb has been banned from teaching indefinitely and is not permitted to apply for restoration of his ability to teach. The case underscores the critical importance of safeguarding standards in educational settings, particularly for vulnerable children.
In related actions, fellow teachers Alison Simmons and Thomas Hayward were also banned indefinitely, though Mr Hayward will be able to reapply to teach in the future. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about professional conduct and accountability within the education sector.
