Teacher sacked two hours into job ... for 'calling pupils retards'



A teacher was told to leave just two hours into his first day at a school after he was accused of calling a class of 10-year-old children 'retards'.

Supply teacher Michael Wood was fired on the spot after pupils complained that he had told them: 'You are acting like a bunch of retards.'



Mr Wood was ordered to leave Mawney Primary School in Romford, Essex, at 11am, just two hours after he had turned up.

The supply teacher was told to leave Mawney Primary School in Romford, Essex, just two hours after turning up

The lecturer, who has taught for 18 years and was covering for a regular teacher for one day last month, was instructed to leave the 113-year-old school immediately.

Headteacher Craig Brown, who has taken a tough stand against bullying and name-calling among pupils, said: 'We have a very high standard of professionalism at the Mawney School and expect this standard to be upheld by all staff, including supply teachers.'

He added: 'We found the language used by the supply teacher we contracted for that day was entirely unacceptable and we had no choice but to terminate his contract.'

London-based teaching agency Timeplan, which employed Mr Wood, has now taken him off its books.

TimePlan managing director, Tish Seabourne, said: 'He admitted making the "retard" comment and admitted he had made a grave and huge error of judgment.

'He concluded that the challenges of supply teaching were not for him - and we agreed with him.'

The Mail was unable to contact Mr Wood for comment.

