RENFREWSHIRE TEACHER SACKED FOR MISCONDUCT AFTER BOOZY PROM INCIDENT
Richard Hutchison, a teacher in the sciences, was dismissed from his role following an incident at a school prom.He acknowledged that it was “stupid and unprofessional” to share a hotel room with sixth-year students, kiss one of them as a joke, then strip and sleep.
Hutchison maintained that his behavior did not amount to gross misconduct that justified dismissal.
He argued that the boys involved were “members of the public,” as they were about to leave Johnstone High in Renfrewshire.
Hutchison also stated that his removal was primarily due to raising concerns about assaults on staff that had not been officially recorded.
The tribunal upheld his dismissal, with panel judge Robert Gall commenting: “He placed himself in a situation where photos could be taken when he was undressed and urinating.
He chose to go along with the joke during the leaver’s gathering.
He became so intoxicated that he could not remember what happened.
It was deemed gross misconduct.” Although he lost his £47,500 annual salary following the 2015 prom and narrowly avoided a teaching ban, Hutchison was regarded as a competent educator with 34 years of experience and was hoped to secure new employment.
