A CWMBRAN teacher left three pupils in an airport after they were told they couldn’t fly on a school trip.

A General Teaching Council for Wales hearing was told that Paul Adams, former head of science at Llantarnam Comprehensive School, left the Nepalese sixth-form students at Bristol Airport with one of the trio’s uncles after he’d failed to check on the visas they would need, the hearing in Cardiff was told.

Mr Adams, who did not attend, organised the trip for 12 boys and four girls aged 16-18 to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, in April 2009.

Presenting officer Louise Price said that after leaving the pupils, who were over 18, Mr Adams did not check they got home safely nor inform the school’s head, David Bright.

Mrs Price said Mr Adams properly researched the trip and breached school guidelines on ensuring male and female teachers’ supervision.

On the trip’s risk assessment form Mr Adams falsely stated he had read the guidelines.

Mr Adams’ form said pupils would be accompanied by two other teachers, one male, one female.

Just days before the trip he told the female teacher she could not go because of budget constraints, but didn’t inform the head teacher.

Mr Adams admitted failing to inform the head of that, not telling him of the issues at the airport, or checking if the students got home safely.

He admitted failing in his duty to report these issues and admitted in part falsely saying he had read the guidelines, but argued they were not explicit.

Mr Adams admitted making a false declaration of his previous salary when applying for his post at Llantarnam, which he started in September 2008, resulting in a written warning.

NASUWT’s David Browne, representing Mr Adams, said he was new to the school and there was no trip co-ordinator to assist planning, so he relied on his knowledge from previous schools.

Mr Adams was suspended in May 2009 and dismissed in October 2010.

The Nepalese students were reimbursed by the school for the £200 they spent on the trip.

The Ruling

THE case against Mr Adams was found proven for each accusation, with the exception of the risk assessment problems.

In this case, it was found proved he falsely claimed to have read the guidelines, but the panel ruled they were not explicit about having male and female supervisors.

It was decided leaving the pupils at the airport did not constitute him failing in his duty of care, as they were with a relative, but his conduct as a whole did amount to a failure of his duty of care and he also breached the trust of the head teacher and governors and was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

He was given a reprimand, so can continue to teach, but this will be held on the Register of Qualified Teachers for two years.