Special School Teacher Struck Off After Pushing Pupil in Wales

A special school teacher who pushed a pupil into a wall after being headbutted has been struck off the teaching register following a professional standards hearing.

Kerry Hall, who taught at Ysgol Bryn Castell in Bridgend since April 2007, was found to have used “unnecessary and/or excessive physical force” during an incident on July 13, 2022. The Education Workforce Council Wales heard that Hall and the pupil had a strained relationship, which escalated when the student called him a “Bald c***” before pushing their head into his forehead.

The fitness to practise committee found that Hall had:

• Grabbed the pupil by their arm(s)
• Pushed the pupil backwards
• Pushed the pupil into a wall
• Failed to take steps to remove himself from the situation or de-escalate it

While Hall admitted to grabbing the pupil’s arms, pushing them, and swearing, he denied using excessive force or causing injury. He did not attend the remote hearing held between February 4-6 and was not represented.

The committee ruled that his actions constituted unacceptable professional conduct. As a result, Hall has been removed from the EWC’s professional register and cannot apply for reinstatement for two years. He has the right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days. ⚖️