Head Cleared of Bullying ‘Will Never Teach Again’

A FORMER Walsall head teacher accused of bullying his staff said he will never teach again after being cleared by the General Teaching Council.

Dr David Cooper spoke of his relief after the allegation that he “terrified” teachers at Brownhills College, Walsall, had dogged him for the last four years.

The 47-year-old, from Lichfield, who had himself been a pupil at the school, was cleared at a GTC hearing, which ended yesterday.

Dr Cooper was alleged to have been guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and was suspended in 2004.

He was accused of telling staff all meetings in his office would be recorded by CCTV, producing a threatening staff document and speaking inappropriately to those who disclosed its existence.

The dad-of-four, who was joined in court by his 74-year-old father Leonard, claimed after the case he had been the victim of a “witchhunt”.

“I’m absolutely over the moon I’ve been cleared,” he said.

“It’s a disgrace the claims were brought against me in the first place. I was very proud of the school and I wanted it to do really well.”

His dad, who lives in Cannock, claimed his accusers had destroyed his son’s 23-year career in education.

“He’s told me he won’t go back into teaching,” he said.

Dr Cooper, who is now working as a researcher at Nottingham University’s School of Education, told the teacher panel CCTV was put in for security reasons.

He said before he took over as head in 2001, vandals had caused pounds 3,000 worth of damage after smashing windows around the school.

At an earlier hearing, Eryl Powell, director of learning at the school said he had written to the chair of governors as a “plea for help”.

He claimed Dr Cooper “was not willing to listen” but admitted he had never officially complained.

(c) 2008 Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.