Teacher banned for slapping student who laughed at classmate

India Oct 07, 2025

Bernard Aquilina, a 35-year-old computer science teacher at Cove Secondary School in Hampshire, has been banned from teaching in England.
Back in February 2024, he slapped a student who laughed at another classmate struggling to answer a question.
The incident was witnessed by several students and confirmed by CCTV footage.

Aquilina showed little remorse

Aquilina was removed from his job in May 2024.
An official panel said his actions didn't fit with what's expected from teachers and noted he showed little remorse or understanding of how serious it was for students' wellbeing.
The panel found his conduct constituted a criminal offense and breached professional standards.
The ban is indefinite, but he can ask for it to be lifted starting September 2029.