Teacher banned from profession after abusing students

January 26, 2012

 A teacher diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and depression is banned from teaching indefinitely following allegation of verbal and physical abuse by a number of students.

While teaching at the East Brighton College of Media, the teacher Jason Gibbs used language such as “batty boys” and “poofs,” a disciplinary panel heard.

According to the Huffington Post, one student was told not to “go into the shower because this group will start bending you over and do you up the ass.”

Other terms used by Gibbs were “chinky” and “china doll.”

But the abuse also turned physical. The General Teaching Council for England heard that Gibbs held one student by the back of the neck and pushed him to the ground causing him to bleed.

Gibbs said there was a “conspiracy” among the students and denied the allegations. On another occasion, Gibbs is alleged to have repeatedly dunked a weak swimmer, but claimed that he only “guided him underwater to build his confidence.”

Gibbs found out he had depression in 2003 and bi-polar in 2008. He became a certified teacher in 2000 and faces charges from four schools.

Gibbs, who didn’t report his medical condition to four schools he taught at, said the diagnoses “significantly affected his teaching career.”

The GTCE heard that Gibbs “always wanted to be a teacher and cared deeply about the education of young people.”

Minna Nathoo, who chaired the panel, said of Gibbs’ abuse: “Such remarks tend to humiliate and offend pupils. They also show a lack of respect by the teacher, who in addition is expected to be a role model.

“In order to obtain his later jobs, he withheld relevant information. His misconduct is serious. It resulted in pupils being put at serious risk of physical harm.”
 

Image in public domain