A PRIMARY school teacher from Barnsley who dragged a pupil ‘like a teddy or doll’ along the floor and grabbed another by the wrists before dropping them has been banned from the profession ‘indefinitely’.
Georgina Graham, 48, had worked at Hunningley Primary School as an early years foundation stage (EYFS) teacher from September 1, 2014.
On March 17, 2023, the school reported two allegations of common assault against pupils named in the report as ‘A’ and ‘B’.
She was immediately suspended and reported to the police but the force investigation concluded no further actions were to be taken, though she was referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).
A misconduct panel found that she dragged pupil A across the floor, using excessive force.
A report, compiled by decision maker David Oatley, states: “In witness E’s initial statement she provided to the school on the day of the incident, she described pupil A having been upset and overwhelmed with her surroundings, but having calmed down after witness F sat calmly with her.
“She stated that she heard a scream and turned around to see Ms Graham holding on to pupil A’s hand, shouting at pupil A to get up whilst pupil A was visibly very upset and on the floor.
“She stated that she saw pupil A being dragged across the floor by Ms Graham by one hand, ‘almost like a child dragging a teddy or a doll along the floor behind them’.
“In witness E’s statement that she provided to the police she stated that, having heard a scream of ‘no stop let go’, she turned around to see Ms Graham having hold of either pupil A’s hand or wrists, and was dragging her out of the lunch hall.
“She stated that she noticed that pupil A’s bottom half of her body was limp on the floor, and again she made reference to the similarity of a child dragging a rag doll behind them.”
In regards to pupil B, the report states that Ms Graham grabbed and pulled them by the wrists before dropping them on the floor.
Mr Oatley added: “In witness D’s statement for the current professional conduct proceedings, witness D stated that once in the dining room,
“Ms Graham dropped pupil B on the floor, laughed and said ‘oh you can stay there then’ in a nonchalant way.
“She stated that pupil B was not dropped from a big height but that he was not gently put down either.”
She was subsequently banned from teaching indefinitely by the panel, though she is able to apply for the order to be lifted in three years.
Mr Oatley said: “I have considered whether a three-year review period reflects the seriousness of the findings and is a proportionate period to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession.
“In this case, factors mean that allowing a two-year review period is not sufficient to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession.
“These elements are the serious nature of the misconduct found proven, the lack of full insight and the risk of repetition.
“I consider therefore that a three-year review period is required to satisfy the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.
“This means that Ms Georgina Graham is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.”
A spokesperson for the school said: “As soon as these incidents occurred we immediately suspended the member of staff and cooperated fully with the investigating authorities.
“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our utmost priority and we will continue to do all we can to ensure our school remains as safe as possible for our children.”
