Watchdog decision backed

Dec 5 2008 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A TORY politician has praised the landmark decision by a national education watchdog to strike-off a Perthshire teacher for incompetence this week

Susan Barnard (55) had previously taught at Coupar Angus, Comrie and Arngask primary schools between November 2003 and December 2006.

However a midweek hearing of the General Teaching Council for Scotland found Mrs Barnard guilty of “serious professional incompetence”.

Liz Smith MSP, the Scottish government’s Shadow Minister for Children, Schools and Skills said the GTCS deserves “full praise” for dismissing Mrs Barnard.

It is the first time a teacher in Scotland has been dismissed on an incompetence charge.

She said: "This is the right decision as far as I am concerned.

“While I am sure Mrs Barnard has been through a very difficult time, it is simply not acceptable that we tolerate incompetence in our classrooms and I am certain that is a view shared by all parents across Scotland.

“The GTCS deserves full praise for the way in which it has sought to improve the professional development programme for all teachers and I have no doubt that all teaching staff are very aware of the professional standards expected of them.

“That should give assurances to the general public.

“Incompetence is rare but the decision to strike-off Mrs Barnard should be a warning-shot across the bow of any other teacher with serious classroom problems," she said.

Mrs Barnard pleaded guilty to a charge of serious professional incompetence at an initial GTCS hearing last month.

The decision follows a recent change in legislation expanding the range of sacking offences for those in the teaching profession.

Previously, the GTCS could only take action on matters of misconduct.

But the updated rules, drafted in two years ago, mean that teachers can be axed if found guilty of incompetence.

The decision means that Mr Barnard will no longer be able to seek work as a teacher anywhere in Scotland.