A TEACHER from St Matthew's Academy who pulled a pupil by the hair and clothes and pushed her against a wall has been reprimanded.

Annemarie Kennedy caused the girl to hit her head when she pushed her against the wall during the incident on October 27 last year.

The English teacher was issued with a formal reprimand, which will stay on her record until April 2017, by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

Mrs Kennedy admitted to pulling the pupil by the arm, pulling her back by the hair and clothing and repeatedly pushing her against the wall causing her to strike her head.

However, the GTCS panel noted that there was no physical harm done to the pupil.

The GTCS committee acknowledged that Mrs Kennedy had admitted to the charges and that the “matter appears to have been isolated and there has been no repetition since”.

It also commented on her "good character and history" and noted that she “has demonstrated that she has reflected on the matter, shown genuine remorse and taken steps to address the matters at issue”.

The committee decided the case would not go to a full hearing.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual employees.

“We expect all of our teachers to adhere to the Code of Professionalism and Conduct, as set out by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). Where standards fall below those expected, we have robust measures in place to ensure the appropriate course of action is taken.”