An English teacher who was suspended for telling students that transgender people have something ‘psychologically wrong’ with them has been cleared to return to the classroom.
Daniel Ross, a Christian, told pupils that being transgender was a ‘mental illness’ and that gay couples should not marry.
Mr Ross made offensive jokes regarding gay people and the IRA in the staff room – which were challenged by colleagues.
After being suspended, he was taken to a misconduct hearing, but it is now decided that he should be allowed to continue teaching to strike a ‘fair balance between the public interest and Mr Ross’ interests’.
Mr Ross began teaching at Brompton Academy in Gillingham, Kent, in October 2020.
In May 2021, concerns were raised about comments he made in class about transgender people. He was suspended the next day, and an investigation began.
It was found that on May 14, 2021, he had made a joke in the English staff room about ‘an Irish man performing fellatio on a car exhaust and getting burn marks around his lips’.
A colleague of his said that the ‘light-hearted’ joke was not appropriate but acknowledged that he did not mean to be offensive.
Daniel Ross, a Christian, informed students of his view that transgender identity is a ‘mental illness’ and expressed his opposition to same-sex marriage
They said: ‘The joke was generally derogatory towards people from Ireland and I interrupted him and asked him to stop.’
Mr Ross admitted that he made the joke but he did not believe it was offensive.
On the same occasion, Mr Ross made another joke – ‘What did the gay man get on his helmet?’ – ‘Skid marks’.
He whispered this joke, which he had heard from a student, to a colleague after being called out for the first joke.
Four days later, during a discussion on transgender issues in an English lesson, Mr Ross said that being transgender is a ‘mental illness’ and they should seek psychological help.
Mr Ross said that there are only two genders and that gay marriage was wrong and gay couples ‘shouldn’t exist and shouldn’t marry’.
After one child told her father about the incident, a complaint was brought against him.
When questioned, Mr Ross said: ‘I did say that people who believe in more than two genders might need mental help and have a mental illness.
‘That’s what I believe but I did say there are people you can talk to. I didn’t mean it to be offensive, but people who hold these views do need psychological mental help.’
The case was taken to a Teaching Regulation Agency tribunal.
Decision maker Sarah Buxcey said: ‘The panel had in mind that Mr Ross ought to have been aware that his comments, as found proved, risked negatively impacting on those who heard them, namely colleagues and pupils.
‘In making these comments and ‘jokes’, he showed a disregard for the duties and responsibilities upon him and his position as a role model.
‘Mr Ross’ actions were plainly wrong and inappropriate. They fell short of the standard expected of a teacher.
‘There was some, albeit very limited, evidence of regret, remorse and insight.
‘In my judgement, the lack of full insight or remorse means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils.
‘I consider that the publication of the findings made would be sufficient to send an appropriate message to the teacher as to the standards of behaviour that were not acceptable and that the publication would meet the public interest requirement of declaring proper standards of the profession.’
