Teacher Permanently Banned After Slapping Pupil Over Classroom Incident

Published: 06 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk, English Chronicle Online

A computer science teacher in Farnborough has been permanently banned from teaching in England after striking a pupil who laughed at a classmate struggling to answer a question. The incident has raised serious questions about professional boundaries and the responsibility of educators to maintain a safe learning environment.

Bernard Aquilina, 35, who taught at Cove Secondary School in Hampshire, was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct by a teaching conduct panel. The panel concluded that his actions were “fundamentally incompatible” with the responsibilities of a teacher, leading to his indefinite prohibition from all teaching roles across England. He may only apply for the ban to be reconsidered in September 2029.

The incident occurred on 5 February 2024, when a student was called upon to answer a question in class. According to statements provided to the panel, another pupil laughed at the student’s struggle. Witnesses recounted that Mr Aquilina initially clapped and praised the pupil, saying “well done,” before suddenly delivering a “hard slap” to the student’s cheek.

Eight students provided testimony to the panel, largely consistent in describing the event. One pupil recounted: “I saw Mr Aquilina approach Pupil A and state to him, ‘If you’re being disrespectful, then I can too.’ Pupil A replied, ‘What have I done wrong? I only laughed.’ Mr Aquilina then slapped Pupil A with his open left hand on the left cheek. This was a hard slap, and I could hear it loudly from where I was sat.”

CCTV footage from the classroom supported the students’ accounts, further corroborating the severity of the incident.

While Mr Aquilina expressed some remorse, the panel determined that he had shown limited insight into his behaviour and had not engaged with the seriousness of his actions. Marc Cavey, the decision maker in the case, emphasised: “The lack of evidence that Mr Aquilina has developed full insight into his behaviour means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour, which puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils.”

The disciplinary proceedings highlighted the breach of duty of care towards pupils and the failure to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. “Mr Aquilina’s actions constituted a criminal offence and were fundamentally incompatible with his being a teacher,” the panel stated, noting that there was no evidence of any exceptional contribution to education during his tenure.

Following the incident, Mr Aquilina was dismissed from Cove Secondary School in May 2024, after an internal investigation and disciplinary hearing. He had been employed at the school since September 2020. The prohibition order prevents him from teaching in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home within England.

The case has prompted renewed discussion around safeguarding in schools and the mechanisms in place to hold educators accountable for misconduct. Experts in educational governance have stressed the importance of maintaining strict professional standards to protect students and ensure a safe learning environment for all.

Civil rights advocates have welcomed the ruling, calling it a necessary step in upholding the integrity of the teaching profession. “Teachers hold a position of trust, and any abuse of that trust must be addressed decisively,” said a spokesperson from a national education watchdog.

The incident underscores the critical importance of teacher training in classroom management and the enforcement of professional codes of conduct. Schools across the UK are reminded of their duty to ensure staff adhere to strict behavioural standards, with the wellbeing and safety of pupils as the paramount concern.