Teacher Banned After Slapping Student Who Laughed at Classmate

A computer science teacher in Hampshire has been permanently prohibited from teaching. Bernard Aquilina was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct for slapping a student. The incident occurred after the student laughed at a classmate struggling to answer a question.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) conducted a formal hearing. They concluded his actions were fundamentally incompatible with being an educator.

Details of the Classroom Incident Emerge

The event took place on February 5, 2024, at Cove Secondary School. According to The Independent, a student was called upon while not paying attention. Another student laughed at his classmate’s difficulty.

Aquilina reportedly approached the laughing student. He clapped and said, “Well done,” before slapping the pupil’s cheek. Eight students provided consistent witness statements about the event.

One student recalled the slap was loud and hard. The panel also reviewed CCTV footage. The footage supported the students’ accounts of the altercation.

Indefinite Teaching Ban and Official Rulings

The TRA panel emphasized the seriousness of the physical assault. They noted Aquilina showed limited remorse for his actions. More critically, he displayed no real insight into the severity of his behavior.

Decision maker Marc Cavey stated the lack of insight created a risk of repetition. This risk to student wellbeing justified the prohibition order. Aquilina was removed from the school in May 2024 and is now banned from teaching in England indefinitely.

A spokesperson for Cove School stated pupil safety is their absolute priority. They expressed satisfaction that the investigation outcome reflected the conduct’s seriousness.

The ruling underscores a zero-tolerance policy for physical misconduct in schools. This teacher banned from teaching serves as a stark reminder of professional boundaries. The educator can apply to have the prohibition order reviewed in September 2029.

Info at your fingertips

What exactly did the teacher do to get banned?

Bernard Aquilina slapped a student on the cheek. This was a disciplinary response to the student laughing at a classmate. The Teaching Regulation Agency ruled this physical assault was unacceptable professional conduct.

Can this teacher ever return to the profession?

He is banned from teaching indefinitely in England. However, he can apply to have this prohibition order lifted. The earliest he can apply is in September 2029.

How did the school handle the situation?

Cove School acted immediately by removing the teacher in May. They worked with relevant agencies throughout the investigation. The school stated they are satisfied with the final ruling.

Was this incident an isolated event?

The official ruling focused solely on this single February incident. The panel found no evidence of the teacher making an exceptional contribution to teaching prior to this event.

Why was the ban considered necessary?

The decision maker cited a lack of insight from the teacher. This created a risk that the behavior could be repeated. The ban was deemed essential to protect student wellbeing.