Downside School teacher banned after punching wall near pupils

The events took place outside the classroom during the science lesson.

The hearing was told that Pupil A was pushed up against a wall by Hicks, who grabbed his face and said words to the effect of “this is dumb insolence” and “I am the alpha male”.

Hicks also admitted telling the boy: “One day I might snap. Were this to happen, [Pupil A] should hope there is an adult near who can drag me off him.”

The teacher admitted to then punching the wall close to Pupil A’s head, claiming it was to get his attention.

In a separate incident later the same day, Hicks grabbed another pupil by his shoulders and said words to the effect of, “How far do you think you can push me?”.

He then asked the child, referred to as Pupil B: “If I hit you, I would go to jail for two years. If I beat you, I would go to jail for three years. Which one do you think I would prefer?”

When Pupil B answered “the second one”, he replied “yes, you’re right”.

Hicks again admitted punching the wall close to Pupil B’s head, “as words were having little effect on him”.