A PE teacher who poked a swearing pupil in the chest and lightheartedly grabbed another by the hair has been reprimanded by a conduct committee.

Alistair Johnston, formerly head of physical education at Minehead middle school in Somerset, was found guilty of unacceptable conduct at a General Teaching Council for England hearing in Birmingham last week.

Mr Johnston admitted poking a Year 8 boy in the chest following a heated exchange in a PE lesson in January 2003, but said he had not bruised him.

“He was swearing and being aggressive but I was totally in control,” Mr Johnston said.

The GTC committee said there was no proof he had caused harm or physical discomfort to the boy or a female pupil, whose hair he had touched.

The reprimand will remain on his record for two years.