A TEACHER has been suspended for six months and must produce a doctor’s note to confirm fitness to practice before returning to the classroom.

Former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School teacher Eric Cawley was found guilty of unacceptable profession misconduct by the General teaching Council at a hearing in Birmingham.

Mr Cawley, who did not attend and was not represented, was found to have failed to follow school policies and procedures, did not maintain reasonable standards of behaviour and it was proved he did not uphold the reputation of the school or develop productive relationships with colleagues.

Mr Cawley was employed at the school between February 2009 to April 2010.

During the hearing, headteacher Judith Child gave evidence that Mr Cawley placed the school in a difficult position with his behaviour.

He had failed to provide sick notes for a number of occasions he was off, did not attend meetings and had been given a restraining order by Hyndburn Magistrates Court after he first appeared in court on March 4, 2010. Details of the restraining order were not revealed.

After reviewing the evidence the General Teaching Council committee decided to impose a suspension order for six months Chair Christine Green said: “We have considered the guidance offered by the council and in particular that the information as to the offence should be considered in the round and in a proportionate way, which has due regard to the public interest.

“We have concluded that this offence does affect public interest and in particular the maintenance of public confidence and the upholding of proper standards of conduct by members of the teaching profession.”

She added: “Judith Child told us that Eric Cawley was on occasions an inspirational teacher.

“It is clear to us from the evidence before us that Eric Cawley requested support services and a number of absences occurred at the time when Eric Cawley was subject to a number of difficulties.

“Some of those difficulties are set out in the medical certificates or in the communications sent by Eric Cawley to the school.”

Mr Cawley has 28 days to appeal the decision.