'Voodoo curse' Shropshire teacher banned from classroom

A SHROPSHIRE TEACHER who told a special needs pupil she had put a voodoo curse on him has been banned from teaching for four years.

Roslyn Holloway pulled out some of a child's hair, put it on a voodoo doll and told pupils if she dropped the doll in water the pupil would drown, a General Teaching Council panel heard.

The special educational needs teacher, who taught at the Lord Silkin School, in Telford, between 2003 and January 2010, also called one pupil 'ginge' and referred to two others as 'Pepsi max' and 'black boy'.

Yesterday's hearing in Birmingham was told after the name calling, Holloway went on to discuss inappropriate subject matters with her pupils – in particular black magic, voodoo and and sticking pins in dolls.

During one lesson, Holloway pulled out some of a pupil's hair, wrapped it around the leg of a keyring voodoo doll, and told him if she dropped it his leg would hurt. She then went on to say that if she put the doll in water he would drown.

The panel heard that days after the voodoo incident, she threatened to pull out some of another pupil's hair if he did not stop talking – and followed through with the threat before threatening to put a curse on him.

The teacher admitted six charges of professional misconduct. The GTC found that Holloway also failed to disclose a caution for battery in 2009. She was given a four-year prohibition order banning her from teaching.

Max Hyde, chairman of the panel, said: "Ms Holloway failed to put the well-being and progress of the children first.

"Two pupils' parents came into the school after their children were left distressed following the incidents. Her continued poor conduct shows a deep seated attitude and personal problem."

A spokesman for Lord Silkin School today said: "The Lord Silkin School always puts the safety, health and welfare of its students first. In this particular case, the teacher was suspended immediately and a full investigation was conducted by both the school and the council, which led to dismissal. Yesterday's GTC hearing fully vindicated the school's actions."

By Russell Roberts