Teacher banned for grabbing primary school pupils

Joyce Miller told police she felt “out of her depth” at William Harding School

A supply teacher who grabbed or pushed four primary school pupils has been banned from the profession.

Joyce Miller admitted she “lost control” while teaching a Year 4 class at William Harding School in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in October 2022.

She accepted a police caution for common assault and has since retired, a professional conduct panel heard.

It said Mrs Miller would be banned from teaching and could apply in 2028 to have the prohibition order set aside.

The panel heard she had twice grabbed the same pupil by the shoulder or arm to prevent them walking around the classroom.

On the same day, she grabbed another child by the shoulders to guide them from the cloakroom, and on a second occasion had grabbed the back of their neck to do the same.

A third child was pushed in the back, to return them to their seat when they had refused to do so, the panel was told.

She later grabbed a fourth pupil by the arm to make them leave an area of classroom when they refused, and pushed them back to their seat.

In a police interview, the teacher of 24 years accepted what had happened and apologised.

“She described that she felt out of her depth and that she was struggling to manage the pupils and just lost control,” the panel heard.

It said her inappropriate conduct was directed towards four different pupils, so could not be considered “a mere temporary lapse”.

“There was no evidence before the panel which suggested physical intervention was necessary or reasonable in the circumstances,” it added.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830