Beaten teacher to face pupil again

A teacher brutally beaten by a 14-year-old pupil will face his attacker again as part of the boy's rehabilitation programme, it was revealed today.

David Mishra had to undergo surgery on his nose and teeth and has still not returned to work nine months after the assault. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later admitted causing actual bodily harm to the teacher and was given a 12-month supervision order at a youth court.

Mr Mishra, who was teaching music at the school while taking his post-graduate teaching diploma, has not yet resumed his studies and cannot play the saxophone again because of his damaged teeth.

But he believes strongly that teachers must help all pupils to better themselves, and has agreed to meet the boy again - even though he admits it will do nothing to help him come to terms with the attack.

He said: "The court suggested the reconciliation, to which I said that I was still willing to help young people, and this must include this person. I'm willing to do something if it helps him but it won't help me - it's just to help him.

"I don't relish it. I could quite happily live my life not seeing that person again. Part of me will be angry. Part of me will think that, because of him, I can't play my sax.

"I can't be qualified because of him. That one 14-year-old boy has had a huge impact on me.

"The reason I took this all the way to court was as much to show a person who has never been told he was doing wrong that you cannot attack a teacher without anything being done."

Mr Mishra has been off work since the attack in April last year. He arrived at the 1,200-pupil north London school, which also cannot be identified for legal reasons, in September 2000.

The youth in question had a history of violence at the school. He had attacked other staff and pupils before.

Recalling the moment he was attacked, Mr Mishra said: "He and his mother were in a meeting with the school's head of discipline but he stormed out in a fit of rage. I didn't know this. I was having a music class. I had sent the class to different rooms to practice.

"I was checking everyone was doing what they are supposed to be doing, when this boy comes in. He's very angry. I'm confronted with a pupil who I've seen punching and kicking another teacher and I know a lot pupils in my class are scared of him. I have to protect the class. They must know they can enjoy my class without the fear of bullying."

When Mr Mishra refused to let him into the class, the boy launched a ferocious assault on him. Mr Mishra said: "He headbutted me and started kicking and punching me. I couldn't do anything. I put him in a bear hug. He kicked me in the groin and headbutted me twice but I couldn't hit him once.

"I thought of putting him in an arm lock but he was struggling and, if he had broken his arm, I thought I would be crucified. I was scared of hurting a 14-year-old boy. I would rather take a punch in the face.

"I managed to pull him away from the class, and he picked up a bin. He whacked me in the face with it. Then I thought he was going but he picked up the bin again and threw it. It caught the back of my head, smashing my face into the edge of the door as I went to get help."

Mr Mishra escaped without further damage but it was to be the start of many trips to doctors and dentists to rebuild his face. He has been off sick since. He said: "I have bad dreams about going back to school. I worry about my job, whether it's worth it and whether I can take the abuse."