CANNABIS OFFENCES TEACHER IS REPRIMANDED BY PANEL

A TEACHER who was convicted of several drug offences involving
cannabis between 1998 and 2009 has been given a two year reprimand
from the teacher's disciplinary panel.

Alan Taylor, who taught at Westleigh High School in Leigh, had been
convicted of possession of the drug with intent to supply.

In the ruling the General Teaching Council said it had heard no
evidence the offences had a direct effect on his teaching.

Chairman Aaron King stated: "All teachers are role models and we have
heard that you are a good teacher.

"That such offences have been committed by you could well have an
effect upon pupil's perception of the risks associated with drugs and
undermine other teaching in a school to the contrary.

"Further, the public would rightly expect a registered teacher to
respect the law and set an example to pupils and your repeated breach
of the law is contrary to the expectation.

"We have noted your challenge to the law with regard to drug use. It
is not for us to judge whether the laws that you have broken are legal
or reasonable or otherwise."

Mr King added: "This reprimand marks the fact your conduct has been
unacceptable and may be taken into account in any future regulatory
proceedings against you."

Westleigh School said Mr Taylor is no longer employed there after
being dismissed by the governing body in 2009.