A design and food technology teacher has been banned from teaching after hitting a student during class.
Katherine Veitch, who worked at Bohunt School in Liphook, admitted hitting a student in the classroom in January 2020.
A conduct committee described the incident as “a one-time slap in the face of the student” and said there was no evidence it caused “any injury or any lasting effect”.
The prohibition order could be reviewed after April 2024.
According to an official report, when questioned by police shortly after the incident, Ms Veitch claimed she had no recollection of hitting a student in the classroom.
However, she fully admitted her behavior in court and her guilty plea was upheld, the report said.
The panel found that Ms Veitch “was responsible for an act of violence against a student” but said “her behavior was on the low end of a spectrum of seriousness”.
The panel also found that Ms Veitch had shown “limited discernment and remorse for her actions”.
However, it said the panel members took into account “Ms Veitch’s personal circumstances at the time”.
The official report states that Ms Veitch was employed at the school between January 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 and that on September 22, 2020 she was convicted of assault by beating a student.
Their conduct did not result in a prison sentence, the panel said.
However, it was found that Ms Veitch’s actions “were premeditated and in clear breach of teacher standards”.
She can apply for the prohibition order to be lifted, but only on April 29, 2024.
Without a successful application, Ms. Veitch will be banned from teaching indefinitely, the report said.
A Bohunt School spokesperson said: “The safety and well-being of all our students is our top priority and we recognize that the actions of this individual were unacceptable and totally at odds with the high standards we hold up.
“Following the incident that occurred in January 2020, we took immediate action to suspend the employee, who was fired shortly thereafter following a police and internal investigation.
“We have closely followed all of our robust protection and reporting procedures, which led to the recent decision by the Education Regulatory Authority.”
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