A woman has been banned from teaching after she was found to have withheld food from students and pushed another off a desk at a special education school in Bromsgrove. 

Rachel Kearns, aged 44, was suspended as a teacher at Rigby Hall Special School in May 2022 following allegations of professional misconduct and 'bullying'. 

This includes throwing a pupil's food in the bin and grabbing another by the wrist.

The school also took action by informing the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the police. Following an investigation, Rigby Hall Special School also made a referral to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). 

Ms Kearns denied the allegations and submitted that throughout her career she has had an exemplary record.

A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency convened in the absence of Ms Kearns from April 23 to April 24 by way of a virtual hearing to consider the claims. 

The panel found that although Ms Kearns had a specialist skillset in the public interest, including British Sign Language, Makaton and her degree in Deaf Studies and Linguistics, she had placed "extremely vulnerable pupils at significant risk". 

In a statement from the report published on the Gov website, it said: "The panel was of the view that prohibition was both proportionate and appropriate. The panel decided that the public interest considerations outweighed the interests of Mrs Kearns.

"The seriousness of the conduct found against Mrs Kearns was a significant factor in forming that opinion. Mrs Kearns’ conduct placed extremely vulnerable pupils, a number of whom were non-verbal and could not therefore communicate their needs, at significant risk."

The panel recommended to the Secretary of State that Ms Kearns should be prohibited from teaching. 

In a statement about the decision, David Oatley, on behalf of the Secretary of State, said: "These elements are the serious nature of the misconduct found proven and the lack of evidence of either insight or remorse. I consider therefore that allowing for no review period is necessary to maintain public confidence and is proportionate and in the public interest.

"This means that Mrs Rachel Kearns is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Mrs Kearns shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach."

In response to the report, Tracey Smith, headteacher at Rigby Hall School, said: "We can confirm that a case concerning a former member of teaching staff has been considered by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

"This has been a difficult time for the school staff and impacted families and we are pleased that the matter has concluded for the sake of all those involved.
 
"The safety and wellbeing of our pupils will always remain to be our priority."