A NEWTOWN senior lecturer has been struck off for two years after storing pornography in a college and making derogatory, sexist and offensive comments about female learners and colleagues.

Allegations of unacceptable professional conduct were proved against Michael John Drew, who taught at the NPTC campus in Newtown, resulting in him being removed from the Register of Education Practitioners as a further education teacher.

A four-day Education Workforce Council Fitness to Practise Committee sitting, which concluded on April 1, was told that he kept pornographic material inside the college premises between 2015 and 2020.

NPTC thanked staff for reporting their concerns, adding: “We do not condone this sort of behaviour and we are satisfied with the outcome of the proceedings”.

In front of colleagues, Mr Drew commented about the breasts of colleagues and learners, and made “cor” and “phwoar” sounds.

He also said in relation to a learner, “oh she’s a gorgeous one ain’t she”, and referred to a colleague as “a dog”.

The tribunal also heard that around November 2019, Mr Drew said to a colleague: “God look at her, what I wouldn’t do for that” or words to that effect, referring to an apparently teenage prospective learner who attended an open day at the college.

Mr Drew also said to colleagues, about a female learner, that he “could not resist a redhead”.

In 2019 or 2020, Mr Drew was proved to have behaved inappropriately towards learners when he made a sweeping motion behind a student, indicating that he wanted to smack her bottom.

The lecturer also displayed intimidating behaviour between 2018 and 2020 where he shouted aggressively after backing a colleague into a corner.

Another altercation with a colleague found that Mr Drew squared up to him and slammed a door that he was holding.

A NPTC spokesperson said: “The investigation has been thorough and we thank the staff who came forward to report their concerns and give evidence in relation to this matter.

"As soon as we were informed of the allegations the investigation into Mr Drew’s conduct and behaviour commenced and his employment terminated. Matters like this are never easy to speak about or hear about, but the protection and safeguarding of our learners and staff is paramount.

"The College has policies and procedures in place as well as regular training for our employees. We do not condone this sort of behaviour and we are satisfied with the outcome of the proceedings.”

The Fitness to Practise committee decided that Mr Drew can not reapply to be on the Register of Education Practitioners for two years. If his application is not successful after April 1, 2024, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mr Drew has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.