THE former headteacher of a Halesowen primary school who was found guilty of assaulting a pupil has been told she can continue working in the profession.

Rhian Welsh was convicted of assault by beating on August 14 2019 at Dudley Magistrates Court.

Mrs Welsh denied assaulting the pupil at Tenterfields Primary Academy in Halesowen on November 22 2018 but was found guilty by magistrates after a trial.

She was ordered to pay £1k costs, carry out 80 hours of community work and pay £85 surcharge to fund victim services.

A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency has now found Mrs Welsh guilty of misconduct but can carry on teaching due to her 'exceptional contribution to the schools and communities in which she served.'

The panel heard that on November 22 2018, Mrs Welsh tried to talk to a pupil who was throwing cushions and chairs around the room in an attempt to calm him down.

Along with a colleague, Mrs Welsh led the pupil outside and her colleague tried to put the pupils coat on him but he punched her and threw his coat.

Mrs Welsh intervened further to stop him from throwing objects in the playground but he broke her bracelet.

She then put her hand out to stop the pupil from causing her harm and made contact with his shoulder.

Following this Mrs Welsh was suspended on January 8 2019 and dismissed on September 11 2019.

However the panel was satisfied it was one-off incident.

Mrs Welsh was highly thought of in the profession as an anonymous character reference said: "Rhian had an extremely positive relationship with local schools and the local authority, she was well respected and was frequently called upon for advice and support."

Another character reference said: "Rhian was passionate about the pupils and staff of the school and was determined to do the best for every member of the school family.”

Chair of the panel Paul Hawkins said: "The panel did not consider Mrs Welsh’s actions to be deliberate, calculated or preplanned; rather, she found herself in a volatile and fast-moving situation and made a split second decision which many others may also have taken in that moment.

"The panel acknowledged that Mrs Welsh did not seek to excuse her actions and she readily accepted full responsibility.

"She explained the context of the incident and clearly reflected at great length as to how she might have acted differently.

"The panel was of the view that Mrs Welsh had made an exceptional contribution to the schools and communities in which she served, her pupils and the profession.

"These factors in particular led to its finding that there was significantly more weight in favour of retaining Mrs Welsh in the profession rather than prohibiting her from teaching.”

Mrs Welsh was a headteacher at Tenterfields Primary Academy from May 20 2016 until September 11 2019.