Teacher set to face hearing

A headteacher sacked from the Midlands school he attended as a pupil could be struck off the teaching register amid claims of professional misconduct.

Dr David Cooper will be brought before a national disciplinary panel which will decide if he is guilty of the allegation.

If so, it could decide to strike him off the register, banning him from classrooms permanently.

Dr Cooper was appointed to run Brownhills Community Technology College in April 2001 but was dismissed from the post four years later.

The General Teaching Council has now convened a professional conduct committee to consider the case.

The two-day hearing will take place in public next Wednesday and Thursday in Birmingham. Dr Cooper, of Chase Terrace, Burntwood, is expected to attend.

The father of four, who has taught at six secondary schools over two decades, took up the post at the Deakin Avenue school in September 2001.

Details of what led to his dismissal have never been released but are likely to come to light next week.

If the GTC panel finds Dr Cooper guilty, it has powers ranging from issuing him with a reprimand or striking him off the register.

The hearing will follow a set format of the case being outlined by a presenting officer, who can call witnesses, before Dr Cooper, or his representative, puts forward his side.