A north-east teacher claimed a symbolic victory last night after a panel chose not to strike him off over a confrontation with a pupil.
Christopher Butcher, who spent 31 years working at Fraserburgh Academy, admitted spinning the youngster around by the shoulder and calling him a “dwarf” during the incident in 2013.
A General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) panel heard the learning support teacher’s wife is terminally ill and his daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour several years ago, creating what he described as “the perfect storm” of circumstances leading up to the darkest moment of his career.
Yesterday the GTCS revealed it had formally reprimanded Mr Butcher, but had not removed his name from the register.
The decision comes after former pupils launched a campaign to try to salvage their former tutor’s reputation. The Save Mr Christopher Butcher Facebook page attracted more than 800 supporters and was flooded with messages of support.
Speaking from his Strichen home last night, Mr Butcher said: “I haven’t really had time to digest all this. In the circumstances it is entirely fair.
“The panel were fair and courteous and listened to what I had to say in looking at the evidence that was presented.
“As far as I’m concerned that’s closure. I had always intended to retire at 60 so I consider myself retired. It’s a symbolic thing.”
He added: “I was surprised and gratified by the social media thing which I heard about third hand. But I have spoken to many former pupils, purely by chance, who have been very supportive.”
Last week the GTCS panel was shown startling CCTV footage – taken in a corridor at Fraserburgh Academy on June 24, 2013 – which showed Mr Butcher grabbing the pupil and spinning him around before verbally abusing him.
The teacher was sacked by Aberdeenshire Council shortly after the incident.
He appealed but stood down from his post in February last year, two months before he was due to retire.
The official outcome of the fitness to teach panel, released yesterday, reveals members did not feel it was appropriate to take no action because the pupil was harmed.
However, the panel recognised that Mr Butcher had shown remorse for his actions.
The decision said: “There was significant documentary evidence attesting to the good character of the respondent and to his previous unblemished 31-year teaching career.
“Given the particular circumstances of the case, the panel was of the view that a reprimand was the appropriate disposal … because it would indicate to the profession and the public the seriousness of the matter at issue, therefore maintaining public confidence in teachers and the teaching profession.”
The formal reprimand will stand for two years.
Despite remaining on the teaching register, Mr Butcher has said he will not return to the classroom and will focus on caring for his wife.