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Downside School physics teacher banned after punching wall near pupils and making threats
Overview
David Hicks, a former physics teacher at Downside School in Somerset, has been banned from the teaching profession indefinitely by a Teaching Regulation Agency panel. In February 2025, Hicks grabbed and threatened two pupils during science lessons, punched walls close to their heads, and made violent remarks. The school confirmed that Hicks left his employment in March 2025.
Key points
- Physics teacher David Hicks was banned from the teaching profession indefinitely.
- Hicks admitted to punching walls near the heads of two pupils and threatening them during a science lesson in February 2025.
- He pushed Pupil A against a wall, grabbed his face, and stated he was the 'alpha male'.
- He grabbed Pupil B by the shoulders and made alarming remarks about going to jail for hitting or beating him.
- A Teaching Regulation Agency panel ruled his conduct fell significantly short of expected standards and posed a risk of repetition.
- Downside School confirmed that Hicks left his employment in March 2025 and that they cooperated fully with the investigation.