ABERDEEN TEACHER DAVID MCGHEE STRIPPED OF LICENCE AFTER INAPPROPRIATE CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDENTS
In November 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving David McGhee, a religious studies teacher who worked at schools in Aberdeen, specifically Harlaw Academy and Hazelhead Academy, between 2011 and 2013.McGhee’s conduct during his teaching tenure has led to serious professional repercussions, including his removal from the teaching register.
McGhee, aged 51 at the time, was found to have engaged in inappropriate and highly unprofessional conversations with students, some as young as 14 and 15 years old.
One of the most troubling incidents involved him asking a 15-year-old girl a question that referenced “having a Brazilian,” a term often associated with a style of bikini waxing, but in this context, it was used in a sexualized manner.
This question was part of a broader pattern of discussing sexual fantasies and internet pornography with pupils.
In addition to this, McGhee made racially insensitive remarks, asking a non-white student if they were a terrorist, which added a layer of racial insensitivity to his misconduct.
His inappropriate comments extended to discussions about sexual content, including references to “sixty-niners” and “sex with twins,” which he would bring up in classroom settings, often prompting disruptive reactions from students.
The students would respond by shouting “sixty-nine” whenever he entered a classroom after he initiated such topics.
Further revelations indicated that McGhee shared personal anecdotes with colleagues, including a female teacher, about how he and his wife had picked up a leaflet for a brothel during a trip to Austria.
He also recounted an incident from another trip to Germany, where someone directed him to a “pornkino,” a term believed to refer to a pornographic cinema or website.
These disclosures suggest a pattern of inappropriate behavior and conversations that blurred the boundaries of professional conduct.
One particularly disturbing comment was made to a fourth-year pupil, where McGhee stated, “It is possible to get an Egyptian down there along the lines of a Brazilian,” referencing shaving around a bikini line.
This comment was linked to a student’s remark about another girl’s haircut, which made her “look like an Egyptian,” indicating a disturbing level of sexual innuendo.
McGhee’s conduct was scrutinized after he was suspended for seven months in 2010.
Despite this suspension, he failed to attend a disciplinary hearing and denied all allegations against him.
However, the General Teaching Council for Scotland concluded that he was “currently unfit to teach,” effectively ending his teaching career in Aberdeen and beyond.
The findings highlight the serious breach of trust and professionalism that led to his removal from the teaching register, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct and the importance of safeguarding students from inappropriate behavior in educational settings.
