College lecturer 'called students a bunch of tossers'

A COLLEGE lecturer who grabbed a student by the wrist and described some of his students as "a bunch of tossers" can continue to teach in colleges and workplaces, a professional standards panel has ruled.

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK Education editor [e-mail]

Arthur Rowland Thomas, a lecturer at Gower College Swansea, also had a "tug of war" with a student using his phone in class and said "f*** this job, shove it up your a***" in front of his students.

His actions and language amounted to unacceptable professional conduct but Mr Thomas had been antagonised by his class at Gower College Swansea, a fitness to practise committee of the Education Workforce Council Wales concluded.

On day two of the hearing yesterday, the committee found all allegations against Mr Thomas proved, including that he had grabbed a student by the wrist.

Mr Thomas was teaching a level two construction class of around 10 to 12 students aged 18 to 19 at the college's Jubilee campus when an uncharacteristic "red mist" came down, the committee heard.