Halesowen teacher 'left cupboard with 48 saws unlocked for secret vape break during panic attack'
A teacher avoided a ban after leaving students unsupervised with dangerous tools to hide a vaping break during a panic attack.Summary
Paul Price, a teacher at Leasowen High School in Halesowen, has avoided a teaching ban after a professional conduct panel ruled his actions were out of character. During a woodwork lesson, Price left his pupils unsupervised while they were using machinery and hand tools. He was discovered by a colleague in a storeroom using an e-cigarette to cope with a sudden panic attack.
Price admitted to leaving the classroom and leaving a cupboard containing 48 saws and other sharp tools unlocked. While no students were injured, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found that his actions created a significant risk of harm and breached professional standards. Price cited personal difficulties and stress as the cause for his lapse in judgment.
Despite the misconduct, the TRA decided against a prohibition order, noting his 12-year career had been otherwise exemplary and that he has shown significant remorse and reflection since the incident.
(Source：Birmingham Live)
