A NORTH-EAST teacher has been banned after he threatened pupils and took some to a strip club while drunk on a school trip.

An IT teacher has been banned from teaching for three years after "unacceptable" behaviour during a Longridge Towers School trip to Costa Rica in July 2019.

Richard Glenn, who had been head of sixth form since 2007, was one of the leaders of 16 sixth form students who went to Costa Rica on July 5.

He was meant to be there until July 28 but was sent home on July 11.

The Teaching Regulation Agency heard that Mr Glenn told a pupil “I’m not in trouble – you’ll be in trouble" and threatened "I’m going to kick your f***ing head in”and “I’ll f***ing kill you".

The 55-year-old admitted to the allegations and was dismissed in August 2019.

Mr Glenn could not remember what happened "due to his state of intoxication" but "did not dispute the recollection of those present".

The former Northumberland school teacher also took one or more pupils to a strip club and exposed himself to a female trip leader in their shared room.

The panel noted there was "no malice or sexual intent" in both incidents but that Mr Glenn's actions amounted to serious misconduct which "fell significantly short" of professional standards.

It added his behaviour "placed one or more pupils in his care at risk".

Mr Glenn, who also allowed underage pupils to drink alcohol, admitted his actions were "inappropriate and unprofessional".

His actions included:

  • Drinking with pupils
  • Allowing underage pupils to drink alcohol
  • Telling one pupil: “I’m not in trouble – you’ll be in trouble”
  • Threatening one pupil: “I’m going to kick your f***ing head in”
  • Threatening another pupil: “I’ll f***ing kill you”
  • After being aggressive towards one pupil, kissing the boy's forehead and saying “you’re alright"
  • Telling another pupil: “at least you are the only one that is worth it”
  • Taking one or more pupils to a strip club
  • Acting aggressively towards the female leader of the trip when she tried to help him get back into his tent
  • Exposing his naked body to the female leader of the trip in their shared hotel room, although the panel found this was not "malicious or sexually motivated"

The panel's report said: "The panel also considered that Mr Glenn’s conduct may have led to pupils being exposed to, or influenced by, his behaviour in a harmful way.

"Mr Glenn was, at various times during the school trip, under the influence of alcohol, and therefore not in a position to adequately take decisions or act in loco parentis should the need arise.

"This was in circumstances where pupils under his care were in an unfamiliar country, far from home, and relying on him for guidance and protection.

Costa Rica. Picture: Pixabay

Costa Rica. Picture: Pixabay

"Mr Glenn was an experienced teacher and pastoral leader who would have been expected to lead an overseas trip safely, and would have been well aware of the conduct expected of him.

"Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Mr Glenn was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct."

It also noted Mr Glenn "took responsibility for his actions, expressed his remorse and showed considerable insight into his actions and the personal circumstances which may have influenced his actions".

The independent school in Berwick-upon-Tweed costs up to £4,750 a term for day pupils.

After three years, Mr Glenn can apply to have the ban lifted.

To read the full report, click here.