A TEACHER who taught at a Risca primary school sat on a large bean bag while it covered a pupil's face, a hearing was told.

Philip Meredith appeared before a professional conduct committee hearing of the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) in Cardiff today. He is also alleged to have bullied the pupil at Ty-Sign Primary School in 2011.

In all, he faces eight allegations during the same period, which presenting officer Emma Burns says amount to "unacceptable professional conduct". Mr Meredith denies all the allegations against him.

He is alleged to have, on more than one occasion, shouted and/or spoken overly loudly to pupil A when it was not necessary or appropriate to do so; and told pupil A to sit on the 'thinking chair' when his behaviour did not justify this sanction.

In 2011, he is alleged to have inappropriately restrained pupil A on the floor while he was covered by a large bean bag and/or Mr Meredith was on top of the bean bag. He is alleged to have held both pupil A and pupil B, on separate occasions, on the floor with their faces against the carpet, while also being accused of holding pupil B by the front of his shirt.

It is claimed some of his conduct amounts to bullying of pupil A, while all the allegations constitute unacceptable professional conduct.

Ellen Sheldon, a teaching assistant to Mr Meredith at the time in question, told the committee he had intervened in a fight between pupil A and another pupil. Pupil A fell on the floor under the bean bag, which was about the size of a double-bed, with only his legs showing. She said Mr Meredith then sat on top of the bean bag for "four to five minutes" while pupil A was shouting for Mr Meredith to release him.

Ms Sheldon also recalled an incident when Mr Meredith allegedly "shouted loudly" in pupil A's left ear, causing the boy to cry and leaving him "scared". While she once recalled Mr Meredith "rubbed" pupil B's face on the class' carpet floor.

The committee also heard evidence from the head teacher of Ty-Sign Primary School, Alison Dacey, who said she had been concerned about Mr Meredith's "poor teaching" at the school prior to allegations made by his colleagues. She admitted some of the pupils presented "extremely challenging behaviours".

Following complaints by a member of school staff, Mr Meredith was suspended by the school in 2011, and was eventually dismissed following an internal investigation which concluded a year later.

Proceeding.