Teacher sacked over prom night party wants to stay in the profession

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Teacher sacked over prom night party wants to stay in the profession

Richard Hutchison, 57, drove to the event but drank too much and agreed to stay in a hotel room already booked by male pupils.

The chemistry teacher, who was later suspended as Head of Science at Johnstone High School, Renfrewshire, before his dismissal, kissed a boy on the cheek for a dare and took off his trousers before sleeping on the floor.

A Snapchat picture of Mr Hutchison sitting on a chair in his boxer shorts emerged on social media, eventually landing him in front of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

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Hutchison drove to the event but drank too much and agreed to stay in a hotel room already booked

It is the last thing I think about at night and the first thing I think about in the morning

Richard Hutchison

At a GTCS hearing in Edinburgh yesterday, he admitted all the charges against him but denied he is unfit to teach.

Mr Hutchison, whose pupils launched a petition to lift his suspension, criticised colleagues for failing to look after him and alleged that the headteacher knew he was spending the night in a room with pupils.

The case comes just four months after teacher Isabelle Graham was struck off the teaching register after she slept with a 17-year-old pupil from Whitburn Academy in West Lothian at a school prom night in June 2014.

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Students have launched a petition to lift his suspension

Mr Hutchison was in attendance at the prom night in June 2015 at the three star Burnhouse Manor Hotel in Beith, Ayrshire.

A joint statement of facts from Jamie Foulis, Mr Hutchison's lawyer and Carla Roth, the GTCS presenting officer, was read to the hearing.

It stated: "Mr Hutchison consumed to excess. The respondent slept on the floor under a blanket in his boxers and shirt.

"Some of the young people joked about the respondent being one of their boyfriends and approached the respondent asking for a kiss. He 'pecked' the student."

Giving evidence at the hearing, Mr Hutchison admitted: "My conduct was unwise, unprofessional and a significant error of judgement. It is the last thing I think about at night and the first thing I think about in the morning.

"As the night wore on I was approached by two male student who asked about my sleeping arrangements. At first I declined their offer. I slept under a blanket on my own on the floor.

"I accept it was my responsibility to protect myself but I am disappointed with my colleagues attending the event who failed to see my vulnerable position."

Mr Hutchison, who got a taxi home in the morning and returned later for his car, said he did not consider the prom a school event because the sixth years had effectively left Johnstone High.

The hearing continues.

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