A TEACHER accused of intimidation and inappropriate behaviour towards special needs children was sacked when the allegations came to light, it has emerged.

Lindsay McAreavey was cleared by the General teaching Council last week of unprofessional misconduct following a number of allegations made by her colleagues at Newfield School, Blackburn in 2009.

But when a disciplinary panel of the school’s governing body held their own hearing into her behaviour at the time, she was dismissed.

The matter was then referred up to the GTC.

Geoff Fitzpatrick, Newfield headteacher, said: “I want to make it clear to all parents, pupils and members of staff that the school has not and will not tolerate any sort of threatening or abusive behaviour towards our children and will always take the necessary action to keep them safe.

“This incident was dealt with quickly and appropriately following formal procedure by the school when it happened two years ago."

Harry Devonport, director of education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "I am satisfied that the appropriate actions were taken to prevent further misconduct at the school.

“This should not detract from the commitment and hard work of the staff and pupils at Newfield School.”

Mrs McAreavey had worked at the school from 1995 to 2009 and had been teaching a ‘challenging’ class of autistic pupils with severe behavioural and speech problems.

She denied allegations of inappropriate physical contact, invading personal space, throwing plastic food, tormenting children with a can of beans, mocking upset children, forcibly removed food from pupils’ mouths and used inappropriate physical force.

The GTC hearing said it was unable to prove ‘undoubtedly’ that the alleged incidents had occurred.

However, it did say it found evidence Mrs McAreavey pretended to throw a can of beans but it could not be proved she tormented pupils with it.

Mrs McAreavey claimed untrained staff had misinterpreted her behaviour management techniques.