A TEACHER who claimed parents and pupils were being racist towards him has been banned from the classroom.

The General Teaching Council’s Professional Conduct Committee ruled Dr Emmanuel Forson, formerly of Harwich School, should not be allowed to teach.

The committee heard Dr Forson defied verbal and written warnings and continued to tell students and parents his race was a reason for poor behaviour in his classes.

He admitted telling students: “You’re doing this because I’m black.”

Headteacher Nigel Mountford said the decision of the committee was the right one.

He said: “I had to attend the council to give evidence.

“It is a very sad outcome for Emmanuel, but it is the right one.

“There are very few teachers that get banned. I think the priority has to be the students and ensuring they get the best possible education.”

Committee chairman, Gail Mortimer, said: “We have seen no evidence staff, students or parents spoke or acted in a racist manner towards Dr Forson.

“We consider racism in any form to be totally unacceptable.

“To make unfounded allegations pupils and colleagues have acted in a racist manner can only have been deeply hurtful and offensive to them.

“Teachers have a duty to demonstrate respect for diversity and promote equality. Dr Forson has failed in this regard.”

She added while employed at the school, between October 2006 and November 2007, Dr Forson had failed to follow the school’s behaviour policy.

Instead of sending naughty pupils to a “safe room” to isolate them for bad behaviour, he simply sent the students outside the classroom.

The conduct committee also heard Dr Forson “made an inappropriate comment to a student, telling him to kneel by his bed and pray for forgiveness”.

Ms Mortimer concluded: “Dr Forson was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

“His conduct fell short of the standard expected of a registered teacher. It was behaviour which involved a breach of the standards of propriety expected of the profession.”

The prohibition order means Dr Forson is no longer eligible to register as a teacher and teach in maintained schools or non-maintained special schools.

He cannot apply for re-registration for three years.

Dr Forson now has the right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days.