The former headteacher and deputy headteacher at an Ipswich school have both been banned from teaching in England after being found guilty of professional misconduct.

Odran Doran and Simon Black, who were headteacher and deputy headteacher respectively of The Bridge School in Ipswich, have both received a teaching ban.

This prevents them from teaching indefinitely, and they cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in the country.

This decision has been made after the pair were found guilty last month of professional misconduct after installing locks on doors to "calming rooms" for pupils with learning difficulties.

It follows a tribunal hearing into the teachers' conduct, which began in November and resumed in February.

In 2017, safeguarding concerns related to the use of a classroom locking system were raised by Ofsted officers towards the pair after the school's good rating slid to inadequate amid further staff suspensions.

 

Both Mr Doran and Mr Black denied the allegations against them, but both were found guilty with the panel at the teacher misconduct hearing finding that the pair had breached public trust in teachers, treating pupils with dignity, having regard for the need to safeguard pupils' well-being and showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others.

Mr Doran may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until March 26, 2029, five years from the order being set.

Mr Black will be allowed to apply for the prohibition order to be set aside on March 26, 2024, four years on from the order.

Until these dates, both have been banned from teaching indefinitely.

David Oatley on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education summed up that both teachers' conduct had fallen "significantly short of the standards expected of the profession".

The report also said: "The panel considered that Mr Doran had limited insight or remorse into his actions, and as a result, the panel were concerned about the risk of repetition."

Both Mr Doran and Mr Black have the right to appeal to the King's Bench Division of the High Court over the decision.