A TEACHER has been cleared of unprofessional misconduct following claims that she systematically 'intimidated' and 'acted inappropriately' towards special needs children.

The General Teaching Council said it was unable to prove ‘undoubtedly’ that a number of alleged incidents within a 'challenging' class of autistic pupils with severe behavioural and speech problems at Newfield School, Blackburn, had occurred.

Teacher Lindsay McAreavey had worked at the school from 1995 to 2009 when a number of individual complaints had been made to senior staff by teaching assistants in her class.

The General Teaching Council panel led by chair Barry Picken found evidence Mrs McAreavey pretended to throw a can of beans at a pupil but it could not be proved she tormented pupils with it.

It was not proved that she made inappropriate physical contact with a pupil, threw plastic food in the classroom which subsequently stuck a child, invaded children's personal space and made mocking noises when they were upset, forcibly removed food from pupils' mouths or used inappropriate physical force.

Mrs McAreavey did not attend the hearing but denied all the allegations.

She no longer works as a teacher.

Chair Barry Picken said: "Whilst we do not condone inappropriate actions we do not find that it is established that a one-off incident, in context of playing with a pupil in the circumstances of this case, amounts to unacceptable professional misconduct."

"Mrs McAreavey categorically denied the allegations and continues to deny the allegations.

"She suggested that in respect of a number of instances untrained staff had misinterpreted her behaviour management techniques."

During the evidence, the hearing was told that three teaching assistants agreed that Mrs McAreavey was an 'excellent' teacher but were concerned about her behaviour management strategies.

Chair Barry Picken added: "The committee wishes to stress that it found all three witnesses to be confident in the recollection of events.

"They were clearly concerned about the actions of Mrs McAreavey and it was appropriate and correct for them to bring their concerns to the attention of senior management at the school.

"We have not doubted their honesty or their concern for the welfare of the children."