Teaching assistant, 31, avoids classroom ban for calling autistic pupil a ’round-faced c***’ after telling tribunal he was misheard while describing his own ’round gut’
- Chris Hartland, 31, used ‘horrific phrase’ at a special needs school in South Wales
- The teaching assistant was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct
- He claimed he had said: ‘I hope football is on… I need to get rid of this round gut’
- But the tribunal ruled it was ‘more likely than not’ that he had used the c-word
A Welsh Premier League footballer turned teaching assistant who called an autistic pupil a ’round-faced c***’ has avoided being struck off the register.
Chris Hartland, 31, was suspended from his role at Greenfield Special School, in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, after allegations emerged of him using the c-word against a pupil in February 2020.
During a tribunal this week, the semi-professional footballer, who has played for Port Talbot and Prestatyn, claimed he was talking about his stomach and was misheard when he used the ‘horrific phrase’.
He claimed he had said: ‘I hope football is on Saturday, I need to get rid of this round gut.’
But following a hearing, the Education Workforce Council found Mr Hartland guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, saying it was ‘more likely than not’ he had used the c-word.
Presenting officer Sara Lewis told how Hartland spoke to the pupil, identified in the tribunal as ‘Learner A’, and told him he was a ’round faced c***’.
Chris Hartland (pictured), 31, was suspended from his role at Greenfield Special School, in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, after allegations emerged of him using the c-word against a pupil in February 2020.
The Education Workforce Council found Mr Hartland guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, saying it was ‘more likely than not’ he had used the c-word. (Pictured: Greenfield Special School)
She said: ‘It was further alleged that this was overheard by a colleague stood in close proximity to Mr Hartland. Learner A was upset.’
Fellow teacher Lewis James said he heard Mr Hartland using the C-word.
He said: ‘I heard what I believed was ’round’ and ‘c***’ said by Mr Hartland.
‘I immediately turned and said: ‘That’s insane, you can’t say that.’ He replied: ‘What do you mean?’ I said: ‘What do you mean what do I mean?’.’
Teacher Stephanie Murphy said the boy, named only as Learner A, told her what had happened immediately afterwards.
She said: ‘Learner A was very agitated and upset about what Mr Hartland had said to him. Learner A knew it was wrong and appeared shocked.
‘It was clear to me that Learner A knew Mr Hartland’s behaviour was wrong and he wanted me to do something about it.’
Mr Hartland’s representative, Alex Lawson, said the teaching assistant had been well-liked at the school and a ‘role model’ for pupils.
He said it was possible Mr James had ‘misheard c*** for gut’.
Mr Hartland’s representative, Alex Lawson, said the teaching assistant (pictured) had been well-liked at the school and a ‘role model’ for pupils
The Education Workforce Council hearing was told Mr Hartland also had criminal convictions following a fight at his sister’s wedding and he had not disclosed the offences to school leaders.
The committee found Mr Hartland guilty of unacceptable professional conduct saying it was ‘more likely than not’ he had used the c-word.
Panel Chair Steve Powell said Mr Hartland showed a ‘concerning lack of judgement’ by using the ‘horrific phrase.’
Mr Hartland was handed a reprimand on his record but allowed to stay on as a registered teacher.
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