Outcome of GTC disciplinary case, Adam Walker

last updated:25 May 2010

A GTC professional conduct committee on 25 May 2010 ruled that Mr Adam Walker, formerly employed at Houghton Kepier Sports College, Tyne and Wear, was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct in making personal use of a school laptop during lesson time to access internet messaging sites. 

Mr Walker accepted that his action was not appropriate and has apologised for it. The Committee found unproven the allegation that Mr Walker had expressed views suggestive of racial or religious intolerance. The Committee determined that while Mr Walker’s remarks were 'troubling' and some postings demonstrated an attitude that 'might be considered racist',  it was not satisfied that the remarks demonstrated intolerance, which it defined as '….denying or refusing to others the right to dissent'.

The Committee noted that, in his professional life, there was no evidence that Mr Walker had acted in a way that demonstrated racial or religious intolerance. Mr Walker has received a Conditional Registration Order in respect of his misuse of the internet.