A teacher facing disciplinary charges for secretly filming in schools is appealing for a witness to come forward.

Alex Dolan, who shot the footage for Channel 4‘s Undercover Teacher, believes the man (pictured right) who appears in the documentary could be a vital defence witness.

The man was a supply teacher in one of the schools where Ms Dolan filmed in March 2005. Her lawyers believe he could provide important evidence that would help justify the covert film. Previous attempts to track him down, including the use of a private investigator, have failed.

Ms Dolan is facing charges of unacceptable professional conduct by the General Teaching Council for England.

Her film showed teachers sending poorly behaved pupils on a trip so they would not be around during an inspection. It was claimed teachers from other schools were brought in to give inspectors a false impression of higher standards.

Teachers’ unions and staff at the schools featured claimed Ms Dolan had betrayed the trust placed in her.

Her disciplinary case at the GTC opened in November 2008, but was adjourned until later this year.

- Ms Dolan’s lawyer, Jeffrey Smele, can be contacted at Simons Muirhead and Burton on 020 3206 2700.

Sky-high tribute

A jet pilot has written to The TES in a bid to trace two teachers he credits with helping him achieve beyond expectations.

Christopher Trounson from Sharpthorne, West Sussex, is trying to find Miss Brewer, an English teacher, and Mrs Plummer, who taught business studies, at St John Rigby RC School in West Wickham, Kent, in the 1980s.

Mr Trounson writes: “A couple of teachers went out of their way and helped me obtain results way higher than anyone had predicted. Years later this is becoming more significant to me.

“I now realise my education owes a debt to these two ladies.”

If you can help, please email cltrounson@hotmail.com

Letters, page 39.