The deputy headteacher who tried to save his own skin after 'truly shocking' behaviour

A deputy head who carried out 'two totally needless, senseless, acts of cruelty' has been given an indefinite teaching ban.

Kevin Jones was handed a suspended prison sentence after grabbing one pupil round the neck and manhandling another at a special school in Rochdale. A Teaching Regulation Agency tribunal heard that that on February 14, 2020, Jones 'inappropriately intervened' in an incident involving a child, referred to as Pupil A, at Brownhill Learning Community.

Jones, 57, wrapped his arm around the pupil's neck and held the pupil's arm behind his back before lifting him off the floor. A short while later, the tribunal heard Jones used 'disproportionate force' in relation to another child, referred to as Pupil B.

READ MORE: 'My daughter is a model student but I've pulled her from school over sock row and staff losses'

It was alleged Jones 'took hold of Pupil B's arms and crossed the child's arm across his own body and used his left leg to pin the child into the corner of the room'. A police investigation was launched and Jones, who worked at the school for more than 17 years until his resignation in August 2022, was charged with two counts of child cruelty.

In June 2022 he was given a 15 month prison sentence suspended for two years at Minshull Street Crown Court, having earlier admitted the offences. He was also ordered to do 10 days rehabilitation activity and 210 hours unpaid work.

The court heard that Jones had 'worked in the area for a long time with distinction'. But passing sentence the judge told him his career and reputation were in tatters due to his 'truly shocking' behaviour.

The judge said: "You were in a position of power in that school, a deputy headteacher providing education for pupils with