A supply teacher has been banned from the profession after being found guilty of misconduct following racial remarks made to students.
The offences took place while John Cable was teaching at two Leicester schools in November 2021, while employed by Aspire People Ltd.
A report published by Teaching Regulation Agency, reveals that that the 77-year-old made an inappropriate gesture using his eyes when referring to Chinese people, whilst teaching at Beauchamp College in Oadby. The incident happened on November 9 2021.
He also acted inappropriately while working as a supply teacher at St Paul’s Catholic School, in Evington, on 30 November 2021.
The report said he acted inappropriately towards one pupil while teaching by making multiple remarks and questions based on his racial identity.
The TRA said Mr Cable showed frustration when the pupil did not understand his Chinese, and displayed body language towards him, suggesting he was a foreigner or did not understand.
The pupil told the panel he found Mr Cable’s behaviour “offensive” and that he felt that Mr Cable was “speaking in a manner which directly targeted his racial and national identity”.
The behaviour above was “inappropriate, offensive, and/or motivated by prejudice based on race”, the report added.
The panel felt there was no evidence in relation to Mr Cable that appeared to demonstrate hostility with regard to Chinese people as a racial group.
However, it was of the view that the inherent nature of the act was discriminatory and that “his conduct amounted to both unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.”
Mr Cable, who has been in the teaching profession for 32 years, denied the allegations.
The panel considered the mitigating factor that Mr Cable was of previous good character and appeared to have an otherwise unblemished record.
However following an investigation, the panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Cable amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession
He has been prohibited from teaching indefinitely and can not apply for the order to be lifted for two years.
