A teacher who “grabbed” a cheeky pupil and said he would “knock his block off” has escaped punishment.

Gerald Ellis acted “aggressively” towards the pupil, who he thought was making fun of him, a GTC panel heard.

He pulled the child by his polo shirt and spoke “inappropriately” to him while working at KD Grammar, a Manchester independent.

Mr Ellis, who now works at Bishops’ Blue Coat CofE High School in Chester, told the GTC panel he had changed his behaviour.

The panel said they were “satisfied” Mr Ellis had shown “insight into the damage that his conduct has caused to the reputation of the teaching profession”.