A physics teacher at Downside School in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset, has been banned indefinitely from the profession after threatening two pupils and punching a wall close to their heads during a February 2025 science lesson.
The Teaching Regulation Agency ruled that David Hicks's conduct fell significantly below professional standards.
Hicks did not attend the professional conduct proceedings, where he admitted making violent threats toward pupils during incidents outside the classroom.
The TRA panel said the prohibition order was proportionate and appropriate.
What the Hearing Found
According to the hearing, Hicks pushed one pupil against a wall, grabbed his face, and made threatening remarks before punching the wall near the pupil's head.
He admitted saying: "I would really like to punch your face in."
Hicks also admitted making a second threat during the same incident involving the first pupil: "Once I start hitting you I won't stop."
The hearing found Hicks made further statements to Pupil A while outside the classroom during the science lesson, including calling the pupil's behavior "dumb insolence."
Hicks also used another phrase while addressing Pupil A during the confrontation: "I am the alpha male."
The hearing recorded that Hicks told Pupil A he could lose control before striking the wall near the pupil's head, which he said was intended to get attention.
He said: "One day I might snap.
Were this to happen, [Pupil A] should hope there is an adult near who can drag me off him."
Later on the same day, Hicks grabbed another pupil by the shoulders and questioned how far the pupil could push him.
The hearing said Hicks then discussed possible prison sentences and asked Pupil B a question before again punching the wall near the pupil's head.
He asked: "If I hit you, I would go to jail for two years. If I beat you, I would go to jail for three years.
Which one do you think I would prefer?"
Pupil B answered the second option during the exchange described in the hearing.
Hicks responded to Pupil B's answer during the same incident: "Yes, you're right."
Hicks admitted punching the wall near Pupil B after saying the action followed a conversation where he felt his words were ineffective.
Panel's Assessment and School Response
During a later interview, Hicks described his reactions and behavior during emotionally difficult situations, saying he could "tolerate heat very well" and describing his decision-making as a "rational mind" that could "compute" during an "emotionally fraught situation."
The panel said Hicks had shown limited acceptance of responsibility despite acknowledging some aspects of the incident, noting only "some remorse."
The panel also assessed Hicks' attitude toward the pupils during the investigation as "dismissive and disrespectful."
The investigation recorded comments Hicks made about the pupils involved, including describing one as "a stupid boy who asked stupid questions."
The panel noted another comment Hicks made regarding Pupil A while considering his insight and remorse, saying he had "very little respect or time for [Pupil A] as a human."
Decision maker David Oatley said the lack of full insight and remorse created concerns about future pupil safety.
He said there was a "risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils."
Downside School said Hicks left his employment in March 2025 and that it cooperated with the TRA investigation.
Interim headteacher Michael Randall said: "We can confirm that Mr Hicks left his employment at Downside School in March 2025.
The school co-operated fully with the Teaching Regulation Agency throughout its investigation and we support its conclusions.
The safety and wellbeing of our pupils are always our highest priority, and we take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously."
