Teacher cleared by General Teaching Council of racial intolerance

A General Teaching Council professional conduct committee this week found unproven an allegation that a teacher had expressed views suggestive of racial or religious intolerance.

The committee said it found remarks posted by Adam Walker – a teacher formerly employed at Houghton Kepier Sports College, Tyne and Wear – on an internet messaging site “troubling” and some postings demonstrated an attitude that “might be considered racist”.

However, it was not satisfied that the remarks demonstrated intolerance, which it defined as “denying or refusing to others the right to dissent”.

Walker, a BNP activist, had posted comments on a website suggesting that “our country is fast becoming a dumping ground for the filth of the third world” and at risk of “being over-run by third world savages”.

In his statement to the committee, Walker said he expressed “intemperate views which lacked complexity and balance” and that he “should have taken more time to think about the possible offence my words might have caused”. He added that he had not shared his political thoughts and beliefs with staff or pupils.

The GTC committee noted that there was no evidence that Walker had acted in his professional life in a way that demonstrated racial or religious intolerance.

However, it did find Walker guilty of unacceptable professional conduct in making personal use of a school lap top during lesson time to access internet messaging sites.

Walker acknowledged that such access was inappropriate and apologised for it. He was given a Conditional Registration Order in respect of his misuse of the internet.

The ruling was criticised as “perverse” by the National Union of Teachers. Christine Blower, the union’s general secretary, said: “Teachers are entrusted with a very real responsibility to children, parents, and wider society. We do not believe that a teacher with BNP membership could remain in the classroom without being racist in some way, shape or form.

“All our schools need to be protected as havens of tolerance and community cohesion, as underlined by the Every School Matters agenda.”