Education Law Digest Spring Term 2026: In the Tribunal

Teaching Regulation Authority: Mark Holland

It was alleged that Mr Holland, a maths teacher, had made various inappropriate comments to eight different pupils, including referring to ‘Pupil A’ “hideous”, calling another as “The Liar” and telling another that “in 10 years’ time… you’re going to have 9 kids with 9 different dads”.  He accepted that he had failed to safeguard a pupil by asking her, in front of her class, why her picture was not on her school profile when this had been done for safeguarding reasons which he ought to have been aware of.  He also admitted referring to one pupil as “Football Girl”.  The school investigate and dismissed him.  He subsequently brought and lost a claim of unfair dismissal.  The matter was then reviewed by the Teaching Regulation Agency.

The comments included a number of hearsay comments which Mr Holland’s legal team wanted to be removed.  The rules permit the panel to admit any evidence where it considers it fair to do so.  The pupils did not give evidence as it was accepted by the panel that it would be ‘cumbersome’ and disproportionate to have 17 pupils give evidence and that other evidential safeguards were in place.  Mr Holland sought to suggest that some pupils had frustrations or animosity towards him and some had colluded to fabricate an allegation.  The panel accepted that two of the pupils may have disliked Mr Holland’s teaching methods but found no evidence to support a conspiracy, particularly given the consistency of the evidence from 4 different pupils.  Ultimately, the panel found the majority of the complaints well founded and considered that some of his comments may bring the profession into disrepute.  However, the panel concluded that the teach had a good record and that he was trying to build a rapport with pupils and was not being malicious so recommended that a prohibition order was not required.