'Teacher suspended in UK for 'putting tape on pupils' mouths'

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Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Mar 05 2014 | 5:31 PM IST
In a shocking case, a teacher in the UK has been suspended for allegedly putting sellotape over the mouths of several 10 and 11-year-old students as they were "too noisy" in class.
Priscila Davo, a Spanish and art teacher at the Danesfield Church of England School in Williton, Somerset, was said to have lined up the students on Monday and applied the sticky tape when they were "too noisy".
Some of the children claimed they had more than one piece of sellotape stuck on their mouths during the lesson, while another said it made her lips bleed.
They complained to their parents and Davo was suspended, The Telegraph reported.
Ian Bradbury, executive headteacher of the school, was quoted as saying: "We take all allegations concerning the well-being of our children very seriously. An incident happened on Monday which we are investigating thoroughly. A member of staff has been suspended whilst the investigation continues."
"My thanks to the numerous parents who have brought this matter to my personal attention and have given their on-going support to us in this challenging situation."
Avon and Somerset police was also informed of the incident. The force said it had spoken to one family but would not be taking any action.
Stacey Bradbury, 28, of Watchet, Somerset, whose 10 year-old son Thomas was in the class, said: "He said that during an art lesson children were being a little bit noisy and acting up a little bit. The teacher told them all to stand up and she put them in a line and then put sellotape across their mouths."
"They were told that if they removed it she was just put another piece on and the same would happen if it fell off. Some of the boys in the class ended up with quite a lot of sellotape over their mouths," Bradbury said.
"At the end of the lesson they were allowed to take the tape of their mouths but the teacher said that this was what was going to happen every time they were noisy she said.
Rob Lovell, whose 10 year-old daughter was also in the class, said: "She (my daughter) said the teacher wanted to do an 'experiment' and see how long the children would be quiet for.
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First Published: Mar 05 2014 | 5:31 PM IST

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