Students speak out after teacher is banned for life

HUNDREDS of students have leapt to the defence of a teacher who has been banned from the classroom for life.

Jason McDermott, who taught for more than a decade at the CTC Kingshurst Academy, was found guilty of unacceptable conduct by the National Council of Teaching and Leadership.

The 45-year-old former soldier was accused of punching or jabbing pupils on three separate occasions and in another incident it is alleged he had grabbed a student’s hair.

The disciplinary panel had heard the incidents happened between September 2012 and March 2013. Mr McDermott was suspended by the CTC shortly afterwards and subsequently resigned.

Explaining the panel’s decision to impose a lifetime ban from teaching, Paul Heathcote said: “The public interest considerations outweigh the interests of ­Mr McDermott, particularly as his behaviour involved recurring violence against students of a potentially criminal nature.

“Mr McDermott accepts that what he did was wrong and that he regrets his actions.”

But within hours of the decision appearing on local news sites, scores of ex-students have spoken out in support of the teacher – who taught the school’s BTEC course in Uniformed Services.

Eighteen-year-old Paige Griffiths set up a Facebook page – Support for Jason McDermott – which has received more than 1000 likes since this morning. Ex-students and their parents were among those to leave messages.

Sean Boyd posted: “One of the few teachers who seemed to respect the pupils, treated us as equals. Over 10 years ago he taught me and I can still remember positive lessons learnt from him!”

Jenni Dunn said he “had always shown pupils how to respect others”, while Chris Willetts described him as “a great teacher and lovely bloke.”

In a statement, Mr McDermott had said that physicality between staff and students had always been part of the relationship on the course - which prepares teenagers for careers in the army or emergency services - and this included “boisterous play” between himself and students.

It's unclear if the teacher will choose to appeal against the ban, which prevents him from returning to work in schools, sixth forms or youth services.