A Highland teacher who swore at a vulnerable youngster in class has been allowed to remain on the register.
Muriel Craig teaches home economics at Drummond School for pupils with additional support needs (ASN) in Inverness and was suspended following the incident.
She also drove a school minibus despite a pupil not wearing a seatbelt during a visit to a riding centre.
The incidents happened within days of each other in January 2018.
Ms Craig was suspended by Highland Council in February 2018 before returning to the school six months later.
Following a hearing of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), she was allowed to continue her teaching registration.
Teacher ‘evasive and vague’ after report said she swore at pupil
The GTCS report produced following the hearing said that Ms Craig swore at a pupil in a home economics class on January 26, 2018.
Ms Craig told the watchdog she had “no recollection” of the incident involving the young boy.
But the GTCS said her evidence was “somewhat evasive” and was “occasionally vague” when addressing the panel.
It ruled that the allegation against Ms Craig was proven.
The report, released yesterday, said: “She was firm in her position that she would not have sworn back at a pupil, and that she may have substituted the words ‘hell’ or ‘crap’ for any swear word used by a pupil.”
However, she “confirmed it was entirely possible that the incident had occurred.”
Minibus incident could have had ‘serious consequences’
Ms Craig was further accused of driving a school minibus before a pupil had fastened his seatbelt.
This happened following a visit to the Broomhill Riding Centre in Fortrose on January 23, 2018.
Ms Craig told the GTCS hearing that “having reflected” following the incident she should have gone to the head teacher for advice.
The report said: “She confirmed her recognition that there could have been serious consequences.
“She spoke to having agreed, as part of the Local Authority disciplinary process, to relinquish her minibus driving licence and that she had no intention of ever holding one again.”
Watchdog rule teacher will not be struck off
The GTCS concluded that Ms Craig had admitted the seat belt incident, referred to as allegation one, in full.
It said she had “expressed remorse” and had given up her minibus licence.
It said: “The panel noted that the matter had been brought before the GTCS and adjudicated upon and that the teacher had admitted allegation one in full, and provided insight and expressed remorse for her actions.
“The panel determined that the public interest did not require a finding of impairment against the teacher.
“The teacher’s conduct does not currently fall short of the standards expected of a registered teacher and she is therefore fit to teach.”
Highland Council said they do not comment on personnel matters.
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