A maths teacher whose pupils listened to their iPods and played games on mobile phones during lessons has been banned from teaching for three years.
Thomas Fisher, who taught at Trinity high school in Redditch, Worcestershire, was found guilty of serious professional incompetence by the General Teaching Council. The discplinary committee heard how his management of pupils was inadequate, his lessons were too slow and that he failed to engage his students’ interest.
Mr Fisher began as a maths teacher at the 862 pupil, mixed comprehensive in 2001. Marian Barton, the headteacher, soon became concerned about his teaching abilities. The committee heard that from September 2002 until his resignation in February 2005 he had been given a substantial amount of support and training.
Jane Paterson, a local authority inspector, was brought in to support and monitor Mr Fisher’s classes. She claimed that even with training, he probably would not reach the required standards.
