Osman Barkat, 34, has been banned from the teaching profession after being convicted of assaulting one of his students at Brentfield Primary School. The incident occurred back in November 2020 when Barkat threw a weighted smartboard pen at the pupil, telling the child, "You think you can teach better than me, come up and teach!" This reckless act resulted not only in injury—a cut to the child's nose and lip—but also drew significant attention to Barkat's previous issues with temper control.
The assault transpired during what was described as a tense classroom showdown related to student behavior. Witnessed by other pupils, the incident required Brentfield's headteacher, Nicola Harmer, to address concerned parents afterward. "The school took prompt action, and he was suspended immediately and did not return to the school site as he was dismissed from his post," Harmer remarked, underscoring the school's commitment to safeguarding students.
Barkat was found guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, where he was fined £120 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the injured student. During the court proceedings, Barkat claimed he did not intend to hit the child, asserting he was aiming for the table instead. Despite his remorse, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel deemed his behavior unacceptable and noted it could severely impact both the involved pupil and others who witnessed the outburst.
The panel's investigation revealed Barkat had longstanding issues regulating his temper during his teaching tenure at Brentfield Primary, which spanned from 2014 until his dismissal. Evidence indicated Barkat had previously engaged in aggressive behaviors, such as pulling chairs away from students and shouting at them without just cause. This history contributed to the panel's decision to prohibit him from teaching indefinitely.
Shocking as it is, Barkat's actions were part of a disturbing pattern. Headteacher Nicola Harmer clarified the definitive stance taken by Brentfield Primary, stating, "We take safeguarding concerns incredibly seriously and have rigorous procedures in place. We followed all of these procedures and conducted thorough investigations led by the school and local authority designated officer."
The misconduct panel concluded, "He should have been aware from his training, including his training in de-escalation, of how inappropriate his actions were and the lasting negative impact they could have on the pupils involved, other students, as well as on the school, its staff, and the wider teaching profession."
Besides his immediate fine and compensation, Barkat now holds the heavy burden of loss; his teaching license has been revoked and will remain barred until December 2028, during which he has the opportunity to prove he has adequately addressed these behavioral issues. If he wishes to return to the profession, he must demonstrate significant improvements and fully understand the severity of his previous actions.
Despite Barkat's initial claims of unintentional harm, the TRA firmly stated, "A period of four years will also afford Mr. Barkat the opportunity to take steps to fully rehabilitate and remediate his conduct and demonstrate he has gained insight and addressed the risk of repetition." This ruling, though providing Barkat the potential for future reintegration, simultaneously reinforces the seriousness with which the educational sector takes student safeguarding.
Reflecting on the incident, Harmer has taken steps to ease parental concerns over safety and school management practices, stating, "I know many parents will be concerned, and I have taken steps to assure them." Ensuring students feel safe and valued is of utmost priority as they navigate their formative years. Such incidents raise pressing questions about the adequacy of current training provided to educators on managing the classroom environment calmly and effectively.
The repercussions of Barkat's case resonate beyond Brentfield Primary, prompting discussions on teacher conduct and the protective measures necessary within educational settings. The story serves as both a warning and lesson, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and fostering conducive learning environments where student safety is prioritized.
