Mr Hargreaves was employed as an art and design teacher at Manchester Grammar School. He was dismissed for allegedly ‘grabbing and shoving’ a pupil in the corridor. It was also alleged he had pushed two forefingers against the pupil’s throat.

Mr Andrew Smith, Deputy Head of the School who had overall responsibility for safeguarding and pastoral care, launched the initial investigation into the allegations. He was obliged to inform the local authority’s designated officer, Ms O’Hagan, about the allegations.

A number of witnesses conceded they had not seen the incident, however, the school’s proctor, Dr Burch, said that he had spoken with Mr Hargreaves after the purported incident, claiming he had been very ‘agitated’.  Dr Burch claimed the