A primary school teacher has been barred from the profession indefinitely after a disciplinary panel found she dragged a young child across a classroom floor "like a child dragging a teddy".
Incidents of Excessive Force
Georgina Graham, who taught early years foundation stage pupils at Hunningley Primary School in Barnsley for nearly a decade, was suspended in 2023 following allegations of common assault against two children, referred to as Pupil A and Pupil B. The school reported the matters to the police in March of that year, but after an investigation, no further action was taken. The case was then referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).
Witness statements presented to the TRA panel described one disturbing event involving Pupil A. The child had become upset and needed calming. Witness E reported hearing a scream and turning to see Ms Graham holding the pupil's hand, shouting at her to get up while the child was "visibly very upset and on the floor." The witness stated the child screamed "no stop let go" as the bottom half of her body went limp, while Ms Graham dragged her across the floor with one hand.
A Pattern of Concerning Behaviour
In a separate incident involving Pupil B, the panel found Ms Graham had again used inappropriate and excessive force. Witness D described how Ms Graham, without warning, walked behind the pupil in a corridor, grabbed his wrists, and raised them above his head. The witness said it "felt forceful" and that there was no justification as the pupil "wasn't doing anything - no one was at risk."
Ms Graham then allegedly let the child's body "dangle" before dragging him into a hall and dropping him on the floor. She then laughed and said, "oh you can stay there then." The panel heard that Ms Graham had become frustrated with the pupil, feeling he "needs to learn how to behave," despite staff being aware of his struggles.
Indefinite Prohibition Order Issued
The TRA panel decided to impose an indefinite prohibition order on Ms Graham, which she cannot appeal for three years. The decision was based on her use of "inappropriate and excessive force used against two vulnerable children" and a "serious loss of control," even after another staff member asked her to stop.
The panel expressed significant concern that Ms Graham might repeat her actions if allowed to continue teaching. It noted that while she had challenged the seriousness of the conduct, she presented no evidence of undertaking training or taking steps to manage her behaviour in the future. "Ms Graham ought to have exercised self-control over her own actions," the panel's report concluded.
The ruling means Georgina Graham's name will appear on the official list of prohibited teachers, effectively ending her classroom career for the foreseeable future.
