A TEACHER at a private school who took his pupils on unapproved trips has been banned from the profession.

Richard Glover ignored guidance about out-of-hours contact with pupils when he took them on a number of trips, including to Alton Towers theme park.

However, Mr Glover who was a “valued member of staff” at Polam Hall School, in Darlington, between 1996 and October 2008, has been told he can reapply to work in two years’ time.

The ruling came at a recent hearing of the General Teaching Council’s Professional Conduct Committee which was told that, during 2007 and 2008, he arranged and took year seven, eight and nine pupils on outings.

Many of the outings involved high-risk activities, such as hill-walking.

The ICT teacher also visited the homes of two pupils, falsely claiming to have the headmistress’s approval for the outings.

The committee found that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct for “repeatedly breaching guidance” regarding out-of-hours contact.

Committee chairwoman Elizabeth Purnell told him: “By not preparing the appropriate paperwork, particularly a risk assessment, you failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the pupils; and by ignoring the school’s policies and procedures and visiting parents at home you failed to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.” Mr Glover was issued with a Prohibition Order banning him from the classroom.

Ms Purnell said: “Your conduct was repeated and was not an isolated incident. Further, the committee considered that you had very limited insight into the seriousness and error of your behaviour.

“You abused your position as a teacher and the trust placed in you by pupils and parents in undertaking high risk outings without conducting proper risk assessments and obtaining parental consent.”

However, because of evidence showing that Mr Glover was a “valued member of staff”, the committee found he should be entitled to be restored to the teaching register after two years, if he can persuade a panel he is fit to return to the classroom.

Marie Green, headmistress, said: “Polam Hall School has robust policies and procedures with regard to the wellbeing and safety of its pupils.

“The school has a very proud tradition of offering a range of successful trips and visits at home and abroad.

“The school, having referred the matter to the Safeguarding Authority, is satisfied with the outcome from the General Teaching Council.”

Mr Glover has a right of appeal within 28 days.