Supply teacher's shock at dismissal

School principal Mike Conn said the incident had been thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken in respect of the student.

But he added: "For reasons of confidentiality I cannot go into detail, but following the investigation we also chose to no longer employ the supply teacher concerned."

Mr Herron, 38, from Brighton, claimed the school had failed to warn him that his class included a potentially disruptive and aggressive child.

And while he was due to teach at the school until July, he had been told not to come back after just three weeks' work.

Mr Herron said: "I've been teaching since 2002, and temping through a supply agency since January 2008, and I consider myself to be a professional, with considerable experience of classroom situations.

"But I have never encountered such a vicious response from a Year 10 child whom I had politely asked not to use a mobile phone while a Personal Social Health Education lesson was in progress."

The 5ft 6ins teacher added: "Although only verbal abuse was involved, it was sufficiently aggressive to make me fear for my own safety, and I have lost any desire to teach for the time being."

* Former Hillcrest School, Hastings, teacher Michael Cleary, 63, who sued for compensation after being barged over by a child, recently lost his case and was ordered to pay 15,500 costs.