A FORMER Ardrossan Academy teacher who allegedly told a pupil, “I’ve sh***** your mum” has been struck off after a disciplinary hearing.

Michael Rankin, 54, came up before the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) after allegtedly making a string of foul mouthed comments when he worked as a tech teacher at the school.

National newspapers reported last week that he had been struck off – although the GTCS report confirming the decision has still to be published.

Rankin faced 19 charges in front of the GTCS, covering the period August 2012 to June 2013, all of which were said to have been found proven and involved pupils aged 13 or 14.

But the hearing was also informed of an online petition signed by hundreds of his former pupils showing their support for him.

And seven ex-students wrote statements in his support which were read out at the hearing.

Rankin was sacked from his Ardrossan Academy post in 2013 and it is believed he had no plans to return to teaching.

The former Dumbarton footballer and Morton FC coach did not wish to comment on the hearing – although he confirmed he had not been officially informed of the result.

He also denied making comments to a national newspaper, which reported him as saying he was a victim of “political correctness”.

The hearing was told Rankin, who lives in Skelmorlie, told one pupil: “Every time I sh** your mum she makes me a sandwich, that’s why I’m fat.” He said to another student: “I need my glasses, I can’t see because of too much w****** – is that why you wear glasses?” And watching a scene in the film Bend It Like Beckham, where a car can be seen rocking, he was accused of telling another pupil: “That’s me and your mum in the back.” The hearing was told he used the F-word at least six times, called a pupil a “fat c***”, and sprinkled the words “a******e” and “b*****d” in lessons. Pupils were also dubbed “dafty”, “m***o”, and “fatty”.

But many of his former students told the GTCS Mr Rankin’s “informality” helped make him an “inspirational” teacher at Ardrossan Academy.

One pupil described him as an “encouraging and reassuring teacher” who would “go out of his way to help pupils in need”.

Another said: “He was an effective and inspirational teacher. There was a degree of informality in his class which was why we engaged with him the most.” A statement read out on Rankin’s behalf stated: “Whilst there was a degree of informality in my classes, I always stuck to boundaries. I believe I had a good relationship with my class.” Giving evidence to the General Teaching Council hearing, deputy headteacher Alison Crawford said: “I was shocked when I heard what the students told me.

“He swore and made insulting comments at pupils – behaviour which I believe is absolutely not appropriate.

“His comments were unacceptable and would do nothing to raise the level of attainment and achievement in children.” Presenting officer Gillian Sim said: “The language used in the classroom was inappropriate, high derogatory and sexualised, and Mr Rankin completely disregarded expectations to maintain a professional distance from students.

“His comments were simply not appropriate for a person in a position of trust and who should have been a role model for students.” The GTCS disciplinary panel is reported to have claimed his behaviour was “wholly inappropriate” and “unacceptable” before ruling that he should be struck off the teaching register.