A FORMER long-serving geography teacher is devastated after he was struck from the register following an incident with a pupil almost two years ago.

Ian Howard, who was dismissed from Swindon Academy in June 2013, was told last week that he could no longer work as a teacher after he faced a professional tribunal in Coventry.

The tribunal followed accusations the geography teacher assaulted a pupil in an incident when he worked at Swindon Academy - formerly Headlands School – which he denies.

While Ian can no longer teach he has maintained a clean record with the disclosure and barring service (DBS), which determines whether or not a person’s history is a cause for concern when it comes to working with children and young people, such as when seeking to foster children.

The incident was not of a sexual nature.

Ian, who is now project manager at Restore, an up-cycle charity shop opposite Cavendish Square, said the incident had destroyed his 26-year teaching career. He fears the reaction from his colleagues has put his present position at risk.

He said: “I have been accused of something that I didn’t do, but they have found that I have and that’s it. I have been cleared by the DBS to work with children and vulnerable people.

“In fact I don’t work directly with children here; we only have people on work experience.

“I told the trustees at my present position all about it when I joined.

“They were aware of the upcoming tribunal and they fully supported me.

“It wasn’t a legal case, it was a strictly professional hearing. When it comes to professional hearings the judgement is based on probabilities, not on beyond reasonable doubt.

“I think people struggle to realise the difference between the two, but people will believe what they believe. This has been hanging over me for 20 months.

“I had to go through it all last week, and now it seems I have to go through more.”

A spokesman from Swindon Academy said: “We welcome today’s decision as the safety and welfare of our students is our highest priority.

“When evidence of this first came to light in 2013 we immediately took action which has resulted in today’s conclusion to this unfortunate and regrettable episode.”

Ian’s case went before the professional conduct panel from February 24 to February 27.