Teacher struck off over 'low-cut crop top' comment to pupil

Panel finds series of misconduct allegations against Berwickshire High School teacher proved

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A former teacher at a Scottish Borders secondary school has been struck off after a disciplinary panel found he made an inappropriate comment about a pupil's outfit and subjected students to demeaning and threatening behaviour. The General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) ruled that John Kerr, 75, who taught history and modern studies at Berwickshire High School in Duns, should be removed from the teaching register for a year.

The case dates back to December 2018, when Kerr was alleged to have told Pupil B, who asked whether he would attend the school production of Grease, words to the effect of: "I will if you are going to be wearing the low-cut crop top and tight trousers, but I might not have a job the next day."

Kerr denied the conversation had happened and said he had been away in Seville for 10 days at the time. The panel found the allegation had been proved, along with a number of others.

It also concluded that in February the following year he had shouted at Pupil A, spat on his own hand and wiped it on the pupil's arm, and pushed the student. A separate claim that he told another pupil "I am going to burn you" was found not to be proved. Kerr told the hearing he had not used the phrase, which sounded like it had been taken from a comic.

A string of statements made to Pupil C were found to have been proven. They included: "You'll never be as smart as me ... I have written over 50 books" and "You are thick and stupid ... you will never make anything of your life."

A representative for Kerr told the hearing that, at 75, he had no plans to return to the profession. The panel said it took into account that the events had taken place about seven years ago and that Kerr had not returned to the classroom since shortly afterwards.

However, it found the conduct was "very serious", involved multiple pupils in three separate incidents and "displayed a pattern of concerning behaviour". Rejecting a submission that no sanction was necessary, the panel concluded removal of his registration was "the appropriate and proportionate sanction". It decided he was unfit to teach and ordered that he be taken off the register for a period of one year.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The ruling draws a clear line on professional conduct: inappropriate comments and demeaning treatment of pupils can end a teaching career.
The panel treated the conduct as especially serious because it involved multiple pupils across three separate incidents.
The outcome shows that a teacher's age or distance from the classroom does not by itself erase accountability.

Background

The General Teaching Council Scotland is the independent professional regulator for teachers in Scotland. Maintaining the register is central to its role, and being removed from it prevents a person from working as a teacher in Scottish schools. Disciplinary hearings examine allegations of misconduct and decide whether a teacher remains fit to practise.

Key Perspectives

The GTCS panel: Found the allegations proved, judged the conduct "very serious" and a pattern of concerning behaviour, and concluded that removal from the register for a year was the proportionate sanction. John Kerr: Denied the key allegation and said he had not been at the school at the time. His representative argued that no sanction was necessary and pointed out that he had no plans to return to teaching. Professional standards and safeguarding interests: The central concern is whether a teacher's behaviour towards pupils falls below the standard expected of the profession, regardless of retirement plans.

What to Watch

Whether Kerr challenges the decision or seeks restoration to the register after the one-year removal period.
How the GTCS weighs the passing of time and a teacher's age against the seriousness of proven conduct in future cases.
Whether the case prompts any wider review of how pupil complaints about teacher behaviour are handled in Scottish schools.

Sources

Teacher struck off over 'low-cut crop top' comment to pupil · BBC Scotland
Teacher struck off over 'low-cut crop top' comment to pupil · BBC Scotland

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe teacher was struck off over the ‘low-cut crop top’ comment to a pupil.BBC Scotland: “A former teacher has been struck off after a panel heard he told one pupil he would only attend the school show if she was wearing a “low-cut crop top and tight trousers””
SupportedA panel found a series of misconduct allegations against the teacher proved.BBC Scotland: “However, the panel found the allegation had been proved - along with a number of others”
Partly supportedThe General Teaching Council Scotland ruled that Kerr should be removed from the register for a year.BBC Scotland: “The General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) held a hearing into allegations against John Kerr”
SupportedKerr was 75 and taught history and modern studies at Berwickshire High School.BBC Scotland: “The General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) held a hearing into allegations against John Kerr while he was employed at Berwickshire High School teaching history and modern studies more than seven years ago. The 75-year-old”
SupportedThe panel found proved the allegation that Kerr made the ‘low-cut crop top’ comment to Pupil B about attending the production of Grease.BBC Scotland: “It was alleged that when asked by Pupil B if he would be attending the school production of Grease he had said words to the effect of: “I will if you are going to be wearing the low-cut crop top and tight trousers, but I might not have a job the next day.””
SupportedKerr said he had been away in Seville for 10 days at the time.BBC Scotland: “Kerr said he had not been aware of the production and had been away in Seville for 10 days at the time.”
SupportedThe hearing found that Kerr shouted at Pupil A, spat on his hand and wiped it on the pupil’s arm, and pushed the student in February 2019.BBC Scotland: “The hearing also concluded that he had - in February the following year - shouted at Pupil A, spat on his own hand and wiped it on the pupil's arm and pushed the student.”
SupportedThe allegation that Kerr told another pupil “I am going to burn you” was not proved.BBC Scotland: “A claim was found not to be proved that he had told another pupil: “I am going to burn you.””
SupportedThe panel found Kerr told Pupil C, “You are thick and stupid ... you will never make anything of your life.”BBC Scotland: “He was also found to have said: “You are thick and stupid ... you will never make anything of your life.””
SupportedKerr’s representative told the hearing that he had no plans to return to the profession.BBC Scotland: “A representative for Kerr told the hearing that as the teacher was now 75 he had no plans to return to the profession.”
SupportedThe panel found the conduct very serious, involving multiple pupils in three incidents and a pattern of concerning behaviour.BBC Scotland: “However, it found the conduct was “very serious” and involved multiple pupils in three separate incidents and “displayed a pattern of concerning behaviour”.”
SupportedThe panel found Kerr unfit to teach and ordered his removal from the register for one year.BBC Scotland: “It decided he was unfit to teach and ordered that he be taken off the register for a period of one year.”