Cannabis offences teacher is reprimanded by panel

Cannabis offences teacher is reprimanded by panel

I write with dismay after reading that ex-teacher Alan Taylor has been punished TWICE for the same offences ("Cannabis Offences Teacher is Reprimanded by Panel", Bolton News, 7 June)

Mr Taylor, having been convicted of cannabis offences and punished by the courts, has now been "reprimanded"("given a two-year reprimand") by the General Teaching Council DESPITE them saying they had no evidence had a direct effect on his teaching.

Chairman Aaron King stated: “All teachers are role models and we have heard that you are a good teacher.

“That such offences have been committed by you could well have an effect upon pupil’s perception of the risks associated with drugs and undermine other teaching in a school to the contrary."

So Mr Taylor was a good teacher, his cannabis offences had no direct effect on his teaching, yet he is being punished for a second time (double jeopardy) As if in any case any effect on pupils would disappear after two years.

Any teacher if consuming alcohol nightly to access under the same circumstances where it had no effect on his teaching would be left alone.

There is something very wrong there

alun buffry