An Angus music teacher has been removed from the teaching register after attempting to dupe examiners by passing off his own work as that of students.

David Hall, who worked at Arbroath Academy, waived his right to a fitness-to-teach hearing at the General Teaching Council for Scotland, after admitting his wrongdoing under the regulatory body’s “removal with consent” process.

In May last year, Mr Hall submitted Standard grade music compositions to the principal teacher of expressive arts on behalf of 16 students; the compositions were then to be forwarded to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

He did this without the knowledge of the students, and had written, composed and performed the pieces himself.

At about the same time, he submitted compositions on behalf of one Intermediate 2 candidate, and two Higher candidates. Again, none of the students knew this and Mr Hall had put together the pieces entirely by himself.

He accepted that he had acted dishonestly and consented to being removed from the register. He must wait two years before he can apply to be registered again.

Meanwhile, a maths teacher who made a student feel uncomfortable by massaging her shoulders has escaped disciplinary action.

David Mann had admitted massaging the S5 student’s neck or shoulders at Moray’s Elgin High on one occasion during a maths class in January 2012.

A GTCS panel found that, having fallen short of the standards expected of teachers, his fitness to teach was “impaired”.

The panel noted that, while the student had felt uncomfortable, he had touched her for “no more than 10 seconds”, and this was in the presence of other pupils.

The student had reported the incident, which led to a disciplinary investigation.

When asked, Mr Mann admitted that he had touched the student and ought not to have done so. He explained that the incident happened after there had been a discussion about the student having sore shoulders.

The headteacher imposed a written warning lasting nine months, before the matter was referred to the GTCS.

The fitness-to-teach panel noted that Mr Mann’s registration had been under threat for more than a year, and that he had been a teacher for 23 years with no previous disciplinary record.

Headteacher Andrew Simpson told the panel that Mr Mann had not tried to deny that he had touched the youngster on the shoulders, and that he had regretted his conduct.

The panel, noting also that Mr Mann had “reflected on his practice” and been offered counselling, decided no further action was necessary

“We have no doubt the experience will have been salutary,” it said in a written statement. “The respondent will now know that repetition is unacceptable.”

henry.hepburn@tess.co.uk.