Former Lincolnshire headteacher found guilty of 'unacceptable professional conduct' against vulnerable pupils

An eight-day teacher misconduct hearing found that Adam Webb, who worked as the headteacher of Build-a-Future Independent School in West Ashby, near Horncastle, was guilty of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ against vulnerable pupils.

The panel concluded that Mr Webb had “failed to safeguard the welfare of pupils” at the school between 2020 and 2021 and had in some cases “reinforced harmful behaviour and attitudes”.

The Build-a-Future Independent School caters for children aged 13 to 16 who have been permanently excluded, have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) or have mental health issues.

On Wednesday January 28, the Teaching Regulations Agency (TRA) found allegations that Mr Webb allowed play fighting among some of the pupils, allowed a staff member to throw stones at students and encouraged pupils to use a dead animal as a ball to be proven on the balance of probabilities.

The panel also found allegations that Mr Webb threw eggs at pupils and “allowed staff to do the same” to be proven, on the balance of probabilities.

It was also proven that Mr Webb behaved inappropriately in his role – with behaviour that included swearing at some pupils.

Mr Webb was arrested in January 2021 and ceased teaching shortly afterwards. He had previously denied the allegations.

The hearing fond that Mr Webb had “crossed a clear safeguarding threshold” and had exposed some pupils to “inappropriate and harmful experiences”.

The panel ruled that Mr Webb’s behaviour had been “incompatible” with his “professional obligation to safeguard children” and was “entirely unacceptable”.

Mr Webb was found guilty of “unacceptable professional conduct” and the panel ruled that his conduct was “likely to bring the professional into disrepute”.

Mr Webb was not present for the hearing and did not have any legal representation.