The head teacher of a Bourne End secondary school has spoken out after a former teacher was banned from the profession for making "inappropriate" comments to pupils.  

A conduct panel on January 18 heard how Helen Rossenberg, who worked as a maths teacher at Bourne End Academy in 2015, pushed a student, trod on another's foot and pulled another by the hair.

It was also alleged that on five separate occasions, she made "inappropriate and derogatory" comments to pupils, including calling a pupil with special educational needs "thick" and said absent pupils would "sit there scratching their balls."

The panel found her guilty of unacceptable professional conduct, saying her actions fell "significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

Head teacher at the school in New Road, Andrea Jacobson, said a review of their procedures found “no reason for anticipating” Ms Rossenberg’s behaviour.

In a statement, she said: “A National College for Teaching and Leadership hearing on 18 January has resulted in an ex-teacher being found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. This person had worked for Bourne End Academy as a teacher from September to December 2015, prior to dismissal. 

“The Leadership Team and governors at Bourne End Academy are satisfied that student and staff response to this conduct demonstrates successful safeguarding, and prompt support to change this behaviour were acknowledged by the hearing panel.

“Additionally, a review of staff recruitment procedures evidenced no reason for anticipating this teacher's behaviour.

“As reported in its recent Ofsted Inspection, "Arrangements for safeguarding (at Bourne End Academy) are effective. Procedures to identify and follow up any concerns are thorough. The school's safe recruitment and vetting procedures of staff and governors meet current requirements.  Staff know how to keep children safe in education.”