Teacher who 'humiliated ethnic pupils' denies racism

A teacher told his primary school pupils there are no "gifted and talented" children among ethnic minorities, a disciplinary panel heard today.

Ian Chaplain is alleged to have made the racist comment in front of non-white pupils, humiliating them, the General Teaching Council at Birmingham was told.

Mr Chaplain is also accused of mocking a child who had a "posh" voice and of trying to embarrass under-11s by asking them mathematics questions they could not answer.

Mr Chaplain, who was dismissed from Clerkenwell Parochial Church of England School in Islington in February 2007 said: "I vehemently deny that I would ever make such a statement. I know for a fact that gifted and talented children come from all different backgrounds."

The hearing was told that Mr Chaplain ran a Year Six chess club at the school, where around a third of pupils are from an ethnic minority.

Rejecting an allegation that he humiliated a Year Two pupil, Mr Chaplain said he had in fact been commending the student as he received a chess club prize at an assembly.

"I was praising the pupil and in no way humiliating him for having a 'posh' voice," Mr Chaplain said.

It is also alleged that Mr Chaplain, a member of the school's senior management team, demeaned a supply teacher and other female members of staff.

He allegedly said the reception teacher had "bad dress sense" and mocked a teacher from New Zealand by saying: "You Kiwis stick together".

He is also accused of speaking "rudely" in September 2006 to headteacher Alison Forbes in front of pupils, visitors and staff.

Mr Chaplain denies all the claims. The hearing continues.