A TEACHER who caught hold of a pupil by his shirt has been offered counselling for stress after an investigation at a Ribble Valley school.

And although he has been reinstated and also offered a mentor after being suspended while the probe took place, the Stonyhurst College member of staff remains off school sick.

The teacher admitted grabbing hold of a 14-year-old boy by the shirt last month. The boy was not injured.

As part of procedure the school told social services and the teenager’s parents who asked the Hurst Green boarding school to ‘take whatever steps it felt appropriate to deal with the matter’.

Headteacher Andrew Johnson said the student had not wanted the matter to be looked into, but as a complaint had been made the school was compelled to investigate.

Mr Johnson said: “The member of staff concerned caught hold of the 14-year-old boy by his shirt.

“The boy was not hurt, and did not require treatment of any sort.

“He has confirmed these facts, and did not wish to pursue the matter further.

“His parents were informed straight away, and they were also prepared to let the college take whatever steps it felt appropriate to deal with the matter.

He said: “There is a very specific procedure we follow, which was observed to the letter.

“It is quite normal that a member of staff be suspended (which is a neutral act) while a school looks into this sort of situation.

"As well as contacting the boy’s parents, we sought the advice of social services, as we are required to do.

“The view was this was not a matter for them, and could be dealt with within school.

“The member of staff was warned that he must not catch a pupil in this way again. He has now been reinstated.

“He is very upset about the situation which arose, is quite delicate as a result, and is still off sick as he has been signed off.”