Music teacher dodges ban after holding pupil upside down by ankles to ‘cheer her up’

A music teacher who held a pupil upside down by the ankles has been allowed to continue teaching despite being convicted of assault.

Sean Haythornthwaite was found guilty after attempting to “cheer up” a student at Seascale Primary School near Whitehaven by lifting her by the ankles.

The incident, which occurred in February 2022, led to a police investigation and subsequent conviction, but a Teaching Regulation Agency panel has ruled he can remain in the profession.

Haythornthwaite claimed he took on a “parental role” when he found the pupil hiding under a table following an argument.

The teacher told the school the girl was “laughing when he picked her up and the others in the class laughed with her, not at her”.

A parent’s complaint led to police involvement.

At the time of the incident, Haythornthwaite was employed by Cumbria County Council and was part way through his postgraduate certificate in education.

Following a trial at Workington Magistrates Court in July 2022, Haythornthwaite was convicted of assault by beating.

He was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £100 in compensation.

The teacher told the panel: “I made a well intended but poor choice, one that ruined my life and destroyed my teaching career.”

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He added that his solicitor had told him the charge was “nonsense” and would be dropped upon review.

Witnesses defended Haythornthwaite’s character during the panel hearing.

One unnamed woman told the panel she was “utterly shocked” by the allegation, describing it as “very much out of character”.

She noted the teacher had a “quiet and calm” manner.

Another witness described Haythornthwaite as being “upset” and “really distressed” following the incident.

“He was a bit devastated. He just seemed broken,” the witness told the panel.

The Teaching Regulation Agency panel concluded that while Haythornthwaite’s conduct was “unacceptable professional conduct”, a teaching ban was not warranted.

“The panel took the view that Mr Haythornthwaite’s conduct was not malicious and was out of character,” the written decision stated.

The panel noted there was “no intent to harm” the pupil.

They also highlighted that his behaviour did not lead to imprisonment, “which was indicative that the offence was at the less serious end of the possible spectrum.”